JAKE Tucker has long been regarded as one of the most promising talents in the country, and he clearly made a big impression on a former opponent who recently visited Ireland just to share the ring with the Newry teenager again.
Middleweight Tucker defeated Germany’s Kevin Paal at the Sven Lange multi-nations tournament in Schwerin last year, but the pair hadn’t laid eyes on each other since.
That was until Paal contacted 17-year-old Tucker via Instagram about the possibility of travelling to Ireland for some sparring ahead of next month’s German championships.
Within weeks Paal had flown over and was staying with the Tuckers at their Banbridge home, as well as sparring Jake and his elder brother Kane at Belfast’s famous Holy Family gym under the watchful eye of legendary coach Gerry Storey.
Standing an imposing 6”5 and boxing in the light-heavyweight division, Paal has his long-terms sights set on making it to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – and hopes gathering as many international experiences as possible can help him achieve that goal.
“Ireland is one of the best boxing countries and I knew Jake and Kane Tucker as I boxed Jake in an international competition, so I wanted to come here to prepare myself for the Germany championship at the end of May,” said the 18-year-old.
“They are great training partners - every time I hit one of them I know I will hit the German boxers 10 times more at the championship.
“I have been to many boxing clubs in Germany but I’ve never visited international boxing clubs before. I have also planned some sparring in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania for August.”
Paal, who cites Mike Tyson and Vasyl Lomachenko as his favourite boxers, only started boxing in 2015 – unlike the Tuckers who have been lacing up gloves for over a decade.
And the big Bavarian insists he is determined to make up for lost time as he bids to become first of all the number in Germany at 81kg, before making a mark on the European and World stage.
He added: “I started boxing four years ago, after I lost a fight with a good friend, because I wanted to beat him. Yes, I won the second fight!
“As much as possible, I hope to learn from my visit, to become the best boxer in Germany. I want and will become the best boxer in Germany.
“My goal is the Olympics in 2024. After this I want to get into the pros and win the WBC belt.”
The Tuckers are keeping busy too, with Jake preparing for the Irish Youth Championships while light-heavyweight Kane returns from an injury that kept him out of the Ulster and Irish seniors at the start of the year.
Indeed, Jake was Stateside at the weekend as part of an Irish team that travelled to Washington DC for the annual Belfast-Beltway boxing classic.
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ULSTER TALENT SHOW THEIR CLASS AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE cream of emerging Ulster talent showcased their skills at the Irish Boy 1, 2, 3 Championships in Dublin, lighting up the National Stadium with some impressive performances at the weekend.
In Saturday’s Boy 3 deciders, bantam Ronan McNamee from the St John’s club in Swatragh came out on the right side of a 3-2 split decision against Dublin’s Larry Connors, with East Down’s Emmett O’Donnell edging past Patrick Stokes of St John’s at 59kg.
Star’s Louis Rooney took the 31kg title by beating Kilcullen’s Michael McDonagh, Holy Trinity’s Kyle Smith saw off Cookstown’s Paul Corr on a 4-1 split, while Callum McGillion (Two Castles) was too good for Ryan Murphy (Neilstown) in the 72kg decider.
Immaculata’s Karl Reilly took the 29 kilo titles via walkover, while Glengormley’s Danny Magill and Brannon McMahon of Carrickmore lost out in their finals.
The Boy 2 finals were also held on Saturday, with Holy Trinity pocket rocket James Kelly defeating Daniel Philips (Ratoath) on a 4-1 split in the 31kg final, and Illies GG’s Rory McDaid taking a unanimous decision victory over Scott Thompson (Spartans) at 35kg.
Oakleaf’s Adam McIvor scored a second round stoppage win over John McDonnell in the 52kg final. There were silver medals also for Jonnie Watson (St Canice’s), Shane Quinn (St Paul’s) and Clonard’s Darragh Smyth.
The Boy 1 finals took place on Friday night, with All Saints ace Archie Richie getting the better of Marble City’s Gerry Delaney in the 46kg final. Star’s John Patrick McKinney took the 76kg title on a walkover, while Glengormley’s Aodhan Scott and Caoimhin Doherty, Clonard’s Oisin Dunlop and Oisin Mulligan, Rathfriland’s Yacub Khalifa, Cillian McNally of St Paul’s and Scorpion’s Ryan O’Boyle all made it to the final.
Elsewhere, Galway’s Olympic BC took their haul for the season to nine Irish titles after Owen Cleary, Martin Barrett, Jamie Barrett and Jonathan Delaney went all the way at the home of Irish boxing.
Dublin’s Avona BC also left a big calling card after claiming four gold medals from five finals, with Roy Colgan, Martin McDonagh, Barney McDonagh and Lee McEvoy all topping the podium.
Dominic O’Rourke, president of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, congratulated all boxers, clubs, coaches and staff for what he described as a “top class and memorable tournament”.
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ULSTER COUNCIL SEMINAR
THE Ulster Boxing Council is hosting a referee and judge seminar for new officials in Omagh on Saturday.
It will from 10am-4pm at the Station Centre, with details on additional seminars also provided on Saturday.
All county boards are asked to send candidates to the seminars which are compulsory before the exam. Any existing judges who wish to become referees are asked to attend. All existing R&Js can also attend as a refresher if they wish to do so.
The fee is £40 and exams and tests will take place on Sunday, May 19 at the Ulster 4, 5, 6 Championships in Deele College, Raphoe.
