Olympics-bound Donnelly back in the groove with victory in Poland

Steven Donnelly claimed his first victory in this year's World Series Boxing at the weekend.

The Olympics-bound Ballymena boxer, representing the Poland Hussars team in the global event, comprehensively defeated his Argentina Condors opponent Maximiliano Ocampo, in Krakow.

It was a welcome boost for Donnelly, who suffered a defeat in Venezuela in his opening fight in this year’s WSB in February - his first ring action for almost a year.

The All Saints welterweight took every round on all three judges’ cards (50-44, 50-45 x2), and showed both effective aggression and clever counter-punching throughout as he had too much know-how for his opponent.

“There was big pressure on me on this fight after losing in Venezeula,” said Donnelly.

“I needed to win this one and I did it in style - I felt good in there.”

Donnelly has been stepping up his preparations for the Olympics in Rio and recently was part of the Ireland squad who took part in a training camp against Lithuania.

On that occasion, Steven was up against another top class opponent in the form of European Elite welter champion Evaldas Stanionis .