Thomas takes Ulster crown with a knock-out blow

Martin Laverty, head coach at Lisburn Boxing Club, with club member Thomas Orr who won the Ulster title at the recent championships.

The Lisburn Boxing Club fighter won the Boy 2 39kgs category after two storming wins in Burnfoot, Buncrana.

In the semi, Thomas faced the same opponent that had beaten him in last year’s decider so he was out to prove a point.

As the bell went, Thomas’ opponent came running out and threw a big right hand, which Thomas brilliantly slipped and smartly moved into range to throw a love one-two, sending his man sideways.

John Joe Sullivan, coach at Lisburn Boxing Club, with club member Ryan Roy who took part in the recent Ulster boxing championships.

Thomas was on him with a jab to the head and a right to the body, putting his man onto the ropes. What a blistering start to the round as Thomas got him in the corner and threw a combo of hooks to the head and the body.

His man tried to fight back but Thomas slipped the attack and landed some shots of his own. His man was hurt and given a standing count.

At the start of the second round, Thomas’ opponent didn’t come out and so it was on to the final for the Lisburn boxer.

He came up against a much taller boy but that didn’t faze him. From the bell, both boys moved into range and Thomas fantastically dodged his opponent’s longer jab before unleashing a volley of one-twos to the head. Thomas then fired in another combo of hooks to the head and body which clearly hurt his man. The ref jumped in for a standing count and it was clear the fight wouldn’t last much longer.

As the round restarted, Thomas moved quickly and caught his man with a lovely overhand right and wicked left to the body. The ref jumped in and stopped the fight and Thomas was crowned champion - a fantastic achievement and richly deserved after a demolition of his two opponents.

Another LBC lad, Ryan Roy, was also in the ring, matched with a tough boy from Cavan. Ryan moved well though and countered his opponent’s attack with some nice hjabs and right hands to the body.

In the last round, Ryan’s man came out strong, trying to push him back but Ryan moved well and defended while getting in some nice shots. As the fight ended, Ryan’s man shook his head thinking he had lost the fight as did most of the on-lookers but the fight was awarded to the opponent to the surprise of many at the venue. That’s just the way it goes and all credit to Ryan who fought a fantastic fight.