Eamon O’Kane in medal hunt
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Dungiven Boxer Eamon O’kane fights Armenian Andranik Hakobyan this evening after overcoming experienced Turk Adem Kiliggi on Monday.
DUNGIVEN boxer Eamon O'Kane will fight for a semi-final place and a medal at the European Amateur Championships in Liverpool this evening (Wednesday).
The local man became the sixth Irish fighter to qualify for the quarters after claiming a superb 7-6 win over experienced Turk Adem Kiliggi in the middleweight division on Monday night.
Andranik Hakobyan of Armenia will be his quarter final opposition tonight.
O'Kane, who captained the Northern Irish team at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne two years ago, today told the Northern Constitution that he wasn't getting too far ahead of himself after Monday evening's fight and preferred to concentrate his efforts solely on his next opponent.
“The Irish fighters in general have decided that the best way to approach the tournament is not to talk ourselves up too much, to just take each fight as it comes and to give ourselves the best chance in each bout.
“I was just pleased to get the win over the Turk after a good fight. I got the winning point with just 10 seconds remaining on the clock so the nerves were building for a while, but I'm pretty pleased with the way I went at the finish.
“I was 5-4 down after the third so there was plenty of work to do, so I was happy enough with the comeback."
Turning to tonight's opponent and O'Kane admitted that he didn't know a lot about Hakobyan.
“I saw some videos of the Armenian on Tuesday night and he has a similar style to the Turk, an orthodox fighter with a long right hand.
“I'm pretty confident that I can adjust to any style so ill just take it as it comes.
“I know that if I put in a strong performance I can get past him and that's the aim for now. If I fight at my best I shouldn't be too far away."
The full Irish squad travelled to Sheffield two weeks ago for a training camp with hosts England, France and Sweden before heading to Liverpool for the start of the tournament.
Russia dominated the last European Senior Championships in Bulgaria, winning a phenomenal nine gold and two silver medals from eleven weight categories.
Ireland have won thirty three medals (five gold) at European Senior Championships level since 1939. The first European Senior Championships were held in Stockholm in 1925.
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association last month named a nine man squad for this year's Championships.
Current senior champions, John Joe Joyce - who reached the last 16 at the Beijing Olympics - David Oliver Joyce, Ross Hickey and Con Sheehan have been included in the panel.
As well as O'Kane, Ryan Lindberg and Willie McLoughlin have been competing in Merseyside along with Darren O'Neill and Conor Ahern.
