Irish and French Elite Boxers Build Up Toward Cork and Dublin Clash
The upcoming Joe Ward versus Abdelkader Bouhenia light heavyweight showdown could be one of the bouts of the night (s) when Ireland meet France in a double header of Elite internationals in Cork and Dublin.
Both nations clash at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork and the National Stadium on May 3rd and 5th.
Irish coach Eddie Bolger described Bouhenia as world class.
"The one time I really focussed on him was a few years back when Kenny (Egan) had a 7-1 lead on him, but he tagged Kenny with a few backhands and he pulled it back and won.
"He's obviously a world class boxer and he has plenty of international experience."
Ward, the current European champion, was with the Irish squad for a training camp in Kazakhstan earlier this month and sparred London 2012 silver medallist Adilet Niyazimbetov in Almaty.
Niyazimbetov was edged out on a countback by Russia's Egor Mekhonstev - who Ward beat in the 2012 Chemistry Cup final in Germany - in the 2012 Olympic light-heavyweight final in London.
Bolger added: " Joe had some great spars with the Kazakh lad and more than held his own against the Olympic silver medalist. Joe is walking around at 82kg and is in top form. He's very fit and looking forward to the two bouts.
"All of the squad are looking to what promises to be two very exciting internationals against a very talented looking French side."
Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia and Bolger will be working Ireland's corner in Cork and Dublin.
Tickets for the Cork match, which are priced at €30 for adults and €15 for U/16s, can be purchased at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cotters Printers, Macroom, Rylane Post Office, Rylane Boxing Club, Dan Donovans and Co, Ballyshonin Berrings, and from John Wiseman, Secretary of the Cork County Board.
Uniquely, the National Stadium international will be an Matinée event and boxing fans are encouraged to bring along the entire family to cheer on Ireland's boxing heroes.
Doors open at the National Stadium 1pm at May 5th. Boxing begins at 2pm. Ticket prices: Ringside: €20. Angles: €15. Balcony: €10.
Tickets for the Dublin international are now on sale at the National Stadium. Phone (01) 454 3525 or (01) 453 3371.
*Tickets for the Cork international will also go on sale at the Rylane boxing club in Cork on Monday night between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, Dan Lane has advised.
Tickets for the Cork international are moving faster than a Michael Conlan left hook and boxing fans are advised to purchase early to avoid disappointment.
Ireland v France May 3rd and May 5th
Ireland squad
- 49kg: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family)
- 52kg: Michael Conlan (St John Bosco)
- 56kg: John Joe Nevin (Cavan)
- 60kg: Sean McComb (Holy Trinity)
- 64kg: Ray Moylette (St Annes)
- 69kg: Adam Nolan (Bray)
- 75kg: Jason Quigley (Finn Valley)
- 75kg: Darren O'Neill (Paulstown)
- 81kg: Joe Ward (Moate)
- 91kg: Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett)
- 91+kg: Con Sheehan (Clonmel)
- Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Eddie Bolger
- Physio: Conor McCarthy
France squad
- 49kg: Dylan Beccu
- 52kg: Samuel Kistohurry
- 56kg: Elias Friha
- 60kg: Sopiane Oumiha
- 64kg: Adelmalik Ladjali
- 69kg: Alexis Vastine
- 75kg: Michel Tavares
- 81kg: Abdelkader Bouhenia
- 91kg: Aboulaye Diane
- 91kg+: Tony Yoka