Newry Democrat - Sports - Kane has a belter

Sports

Kane has a belter

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

BOSCO ABC boxer Kane Tucker has been selected to compete in the prestigious Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project after a stunning victory on Saturday night.
It was a whirlwind few days for Kane, who was part of the Irish team to box a team from the USA, as on Friday the tenacious Newry boxer had to weigh in the Belfast City Hall.
The setting was tense as both boxers faced each other in front of the Belfast Mayor, with all the trappings of a professional bout.
The Europa Hotel Belfast was the setting for this great night of boxing. With the two teams being marched in under there respected nations flags. Each boxer came threw a smoke filled door to their own song.
The referee who took charge of Kane's fight was a USA Olympic referee. Kane started the first round very well leading with his long jab, lining up his opponent Umar Ali from the USA for his big right hand.
But the young boxer from the USA was a very cunning lad and Kane had to wait for his opening.
At the start of the second round this opening came. Kane feinted his left hand and threw a thundering right which stopped Umar in his tracks.
But the tough kid came back at Kane very strong with some great body head combos and as they were coming out of a clinch caught Kane with a great left hook.
Kane returned with a left hand to the body then to the head. The third round started with the USA lad behind and really at this stage he would have to go for a stoppage.
And that's what he went for, but Kane kept him at the end of his long jab and throwing right hands over the top. Kane won the fight by unaminous decision.
This was a great win for Kane as both lads had been unbeaten to date. This win adds to Kane's collection of Armagh/Down, 9 county novice, 9 county open, County Louth, and Mid Ulster novice champion.
But all this cant be won without the support and guidance he gets from the other more experienced boxers at his club. And the great level of coaching he gets from all the coaches at St John Bosco ABC.
This has been a very successful start to the season for not only Kane but the entire club who have lots of champions this year already in the club.
The Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project is a Washington, DC based non-profit organisation dedicated to providing support for at-risk youth through cultural exchange and international athletic competition, with a focus on the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Belfast.
The purpose of the Project is to offer an annual cultural and athletic exchange program, and to provide financial assistance and equipment to appropriate non-profit organisations, which offer athletic, and after-school programs for young adults.