Rochesters ABC first contest proves a knockout in Waterside

Rochesters took on an Ulster Select Team made up of boxers from surrounding local clubs, with the host club securing wins in all but one bout.

The night opened with two exhibition bouts, the first of which saw Ritchie Mills and Shane O’Donnell, both from Rochesters ABC climb into the ring and box in front of a crowd for the very first time.

The second exhibition saw Rochesters rising star 10-year-old D-Jay Dougherty take on Oran Carton of Eglinton.

In the first competitive bout of the night, Marcus McCorkell of Rochesters showed some great technical ability to score a unanimous points victory over Shane Murray of Eglinton.

Next into the ring was David Young of The Ring ABC taking on Kevin McMonagle of Dungloe, with the Dungloe boxer securing victory. Up next was the very technically gifted Jake McCloskey from Rochesters who boxed superbly to secure a technical knockout in the first round over Callum Canning from Ballykelly ABC.

Before the next bout got under way a special presentation was made to Rochesters’ female boxer Suzanne Kennedy, who the previous night had boxed in a tournament in Belfast and was crowned the Ulster Intermediate Novice Light Welterweight Champion. Suzanne made her way into the ring with a great reception from the crowd and was presented with a trophy by local boxing legend and ex European Lightweight Champion, Charlie Nash.

The next bout of the night was a keenly contested affair at 75kg between The Rings Cathal Browne and Dungloe’s David Tennyson, with Browne taking the honours by way of a unanimous points decision.

Next up was Rochesters’ Seamus Kearney taking on Josey Small of Skerries ABC.

In what proved to be the most closely contested bout of the evening, The Skerries boxer was awarded victory by way of a split decision.

In the penultimate bout of the night, super heavyweight Justin Black from the host club secured a unanimous points victory over John Paul Donaghy from Ballykelly ABC.

The final bout of the night was between local favourite Jordan Simpson and Coleraine ABC’s Adam Deighan.

Both boxers put on a fantastic performance with Simpson coming out on top securing a unanimous points victory.

After the final bout, special guest for the evening, local boxer and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Sean McClinchey, presented a special trophy to his choice of Best Boxer Of The Night.

This went to 15-year-old Marcus McCorkell from Rochesters ABC, much to the appreciation of the large vociferous audience.

The clubs opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6.30pm-7.30pm for juniors (aged 9 to 15), 8pm-9.30pm for seniors, 16 year-olds upwards. Or you can find us on Facebook under Rochesters ABC.