BOXING Ireland Win Two Gold in Turkey

21 Apr 2009


Katie Taylor and Carl Frampton both claimed gold medals at the men's and women's Ahmet Comert Cup in Istanbul, Turkey today. But Ireland's Olympic hero Paddy Barnes was withdrawn from his 48Kg final after picking up a viral infection.


Taylor also scooped the best female boxer of the tournament award and the best overall male and female boxer of the tournament award. The Bray woman,the reigning World, European and European Union champion and AIBA female boxer of 2008, beat Turkish lightweight Ozlem Dinc 5-1 this morning - her fourth win in four days.


And in more Turkish delight for the Irish squad, Frampton beat Turk featherweight Cetin Ozdemir 1-0, a second round left hook sealing the victory for the Belfast man - his fourth win in four days.


Paddy Barnes, a bronze medal winner at the 2008 Olympics, was due to meet Ferhat Pehlivan of Turkey in the light flyweight decider but was forced to withdraw because of his illness.


Ireland will be taking home two gold, one silver and one bronze medal from Istanbul.


Eric Donovan, who captained the Irish squad in Turkey, had to settle for bronze on Saturday, after being edged out by Cuban Olympian Idil Leal who won gold this morning.