Ireland amazed in the recent big events, at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and at the EUBC European Men’s Elite Boxing Championships. Several of their heroes from these events including World Champion Amy Broadhurst and silver medallist from Yerevan, Dylan Eagleson will be there in the start at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Northern Ireland topped the medal standings at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games but their current boxing team contains even stronger athletes. One of their best ever teams will represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games and many of their boxers are favourites in Birmingham. The Northern Irish coaches selected five women and seven men boxers to participate in the Games.
The Commonwealth Games is one of the top multisport events next to the Olympic Games and European Games and after four years of break, the competition returns to the agenda. Altogether 53 out of the 72 participating NOCs will be competing in the boxing event of the upcoming Commonwealth Games from all of the five Confederations.
The first competition day of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England will be July 29 and the finals to be hosted on August 7. The best European teams will be England and Northern Ireland in the boxing event which will have 16 new champions.
Amy Broadhurst amazed in the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul, Turkey and won the light welterweight (63kg). She will represent Northern Ireland at the lightweight (60kg) in the Commonwealth Games and she has a strong chance to win her second major championship in 2022.
Michaela Walsh claimed silver medals at the 2014 and 2018 editions of the Commonwealth Games and she is aiming for her first title in Birmingham. The 29-year-old experienced boxer is a favourite at the featherweight (57kg) and one of the most decorated girls in the event. Carly McNaul won a surprise silver medal in Gold Coast four years ago but she is now more experienced and skilled at the light flyweight (50kg).
Aidan Walsh also earned a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as McNaul and his sister, Michaela, and returned to the team after a small injury. The Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medallist Aidan will compete at the light middleweight (71kg) in Birmingham and together with the 19-year-old Dylan Eagleson, could be the stars of their male team. Jude Gallagher, John Paul Hale, Eugene McKeever and Jake Tucker are also well-known names in the international boxing stage.
The list of the participating Northern Irish boxers at the Commonwealth Games
Women’s 48kg: Nicole Clyde
Women’s 50kg: Carly McNaul
Women’s 57kg: Michaela Walsh
Women’s 60kg: Amy Broadhurst
Women’s 70kg: Eireanne Nugent
Men’s 51kg: Clepson Paiva
Men’s 54kg: Dylan Eagleson
Men’s 57kg: Jude Gallagher
Men’s 63.5kg: John Paul Hale
Men’s 67kg: Eugene McKeever
Men’s 71kg: Aidan Walsh
Men’s 75kg: Jake Tucker