Reece turns on the style in Washington

Boxing in the 98lb category, the Coleraine lad saw off his opponent Dennis Zeigle with an impressive points.

Speaking on the Northern Ireland team’s return from Washington, Scorpion Boxing Club coach alan ‘Spike’ Martin, who is also the main organiser in Northern Ireland commented: “We had a fantastic trip and this time we took 10 more kids from the Northern Ireland to America for what is an amazing experience. Clubs from Ballymoney, Ballymena, Belfast, Bangor and Newry were all represented in Washington DC.

“The trip included visits to the Irish Embassy, a tour of Capitol Hill, a day at a baseball game. We then trained at the Naval Academy with the U.S. Navy boxers followed by a training session at Headbangers Gym home of World Champion Lamont Peterson and then our final preparations were completed at Sugar Ray Leonard’s Gym.

“On the Fight Night the Marriot Ballroom was filled to capacity with a who’s who of Washington Society including Congressmen, presidential staff, a director of Homeland Security also numerous attorneys, ambassadors, actors and football players.

“The boxers all did themselves proud as they defeated Team USA 6-4 for the second year running. The team consisisted of Scorpion’s Ulster and Antrim Champion Reece Napier who had a great points win, also international Lewis Crocker from Holy Trinity who stopped his opponent, Caiohlin Hynes Ulster Senior Champion who won a hard points decision. There was also James McGivern from St George’s a European School boy champ who put on a masterclass. It really was a great team and they all gelled together really well.