RISING Droitwich boxer Joe Doyle continued to make a name for himself after claiming gold at the prestigious Monkstown International Box Cup in Ireland over then weekend.
Doyle emerged victorious after three gruelling days in Dublin where he won three bouts against stiff opposition to win the 36kg category of Europe’s largest boxing tournament for schoolboys and girls, juniors and under-18s.
The Spa youngster outpointed Northern Ireland champion John Ward in his first fight and then defeated Southern Ireland’s number one boxer Karl Sheridan to set up a final against Tariq Agius, the two-time England national champion from London.
Despite boxing six rounds the previous two days, the two fighters both demonstrated their blistering speed and power in a very tough contest with Doyle clinching the judges’ votes and the gold medal for his superior showing in the opening and third rounds.
More than 900 young boxers from as far afield as Sweden and Slovakia as well as the home nations competed in the event, which saw Doyle bounce back in style from his recent narrow defeat in the England National Schools championship final.
Delighted coach and father Jayson said: “We thought that Joe had done enough to win the national title so to lose by just one point was disappointing and a tough decision to take after a lot of hard work.
“But these things happen, Joe will learn from the experience and to put that behind him, we knew that he needed to impress in Ireland in Europe’s biggest junior tournament.
“He did that convincingly against three very strong boxers with excellent reputations so it was a very worthwhile and rewarding trip.”
