Northern Ireland have a strong representation in the semi-finals of the boxing tournament at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
Their squad of seven boxers, who are active at Birmingham’s NEC and are vying for a place in Sunday’s final, have already been guaranteed medals.
Carl Frampton understands the pride that comes with winning medals at these competitions. He became a world champion in his two divisions and a star in the sports world. However, he never went to the Commonwealth, and he still regrets it.
Frampton became a boxing superstar, but regrets not playing Commonwealth Games as an amateur
“Winning the Ulster Championship gets you a ticket to the Commonwealth Games, that’s it,” he said. sky sports.
“I’m the Irish champion, probably number one in the Four Nations at the time. I had just won the Multi Nations the week before. If I hadn’t been in Ulster, I would have been sent. I think I was the champion of Ireland, but I entered and lost.
“I remember going home and crying because I wanted to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games. That never happened.
“I would have been very proud to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.”
Boxing is an important sport in Northern Ireland. “It’s massive. It wasn’t too long ago that the Ulster Championship was on Northern Irish television,” Frampton said. “It’s a sport that’s respected at home.”
It is also a sport that transcends social and political divisions.
“Boxing in Northern Ireland has always been a sport that brings people together,” said Frampton.
“I’m not really sure why. It probably has to do with the respect and respect one should have for anyone who has the courage to climb over the ropes. It takes a lot of courage to do that.”
“That’s kind of my answer. Maybe it’s the right answer, but I don’t know.”
Amateur boxing clubs are often underestimated, but they play a very valuable role in their communities.
“My former coach, Billy McKee, said that his greatest achievement as a coach was neither me winning a championship nor anyone else winning a title, he is a little bit of a struggling guy. Take him down the wrong track, put him back on the straight and narrow path, go to college he probably wasn’t expected to go to, succeed or get a job,” Frampton said.
“They were real success stories for him. Maybe people on the outside see it and understand it. On that level like all sports, it’s all voluntary and they just I give up a lot of time to try ‘and help, help others. ”
Frampton believes a well-known athlete like him should use the position. Did. He was one of his leaders in his 250 sports he participated. When asked if the sports sector is doing enough to use its power and popularity in society to break down social barriers and address inequalities in communities, 70% were neutral or opposed. did.
Frampton believes sportsmen should use their platforms to make a positive impact
“The positive impact and influence that sportsmen can have, for whatever reason, makes people listen,” Frampton said. “We have a platform, so we should actively use it.
“In Birmingham [these boxers] As Commonwealth medalists, they will be able to send their own positive message. ”
Northern Ireland have quality boxers like Amy Broadhurst, Michaela Walsh and Jude Gallagher in the semi-finals. Frampton turns his attention to Dylan Eagleson.
“[He] He’s only 19, having just won a silver medal at the European Championships. He knows how difficult it is to win a medal at the European Championships,” Frampton said. good fighter.some even say [securing a medal] No real easy fight, so it’s as tough in Europe as it is in the Olympics.
“There is a lot of media attention at the Commonwealth Games. It’s a lot of exposure., More than medals. Medals are important, but exposure is also very important.”
England, Wales and Scotland also have good boxers in the semi-finals.
Current Commonwealth silver medalist Rosie Eccles will face Northern Ireland’s Eileen Nugent. England’s Lewis Richardson Box Sam Hickey Scottish top level middleweight bout.
Welsh light heavyweight Taylor Bevan and England’s Aaron Bowen made great progress in this tournament. They clashed in an exciting 80kg super-heavyweight, with Birmingham’s own Delicious Ollie qualifying for the final against New Zealand’s Leuila Mau’u at the end of a long session of boxing.
The biggest fight in women’s boxing history – Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall – will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Saturday, September 10th. Be part of history and buy your tickets for London Showdown here.
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