Submitted by Nelson Boxing Club
Nelson boxers Milane D’Aurelie, Lola Brouillette, Riel Martinez and Porter Hansen, travelled to Dungarvin, Ireland, last week to compete in the Celtic Cup as part of B.C.’s provincial team of 25 athletes and five coaches from around the province.
The Celtic Cup is an annual tournament that attracts high level boxers from all over the world. This year saw teams from Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England, France, Scotland, Canada and Portugal.
On the way to Ireland, the Nelson team stopped in Calgary where D’Aurelie and Martinez both fought. D’Aurelie won a unanimous decision against Savannah Desert of Lethbridge, Alta., and Martinez lost a close split decision to Alberta provincial champion Attila Ahmed of Edmonton.
At the Celtic Cup, D’Aurelie, 17, entered the Youth Novice Division and fought for gold against Bandon, Ireland’s Leah Geaney.
D’Aurelie battered Geaney in the first round and continued with the same in the second forcing the referee to wave off the bout giving D’Aurelie the victory.
D’Aurelie then had the opportunity to move up to the Open Division and challenge Megan Martin from Ballynacarrow, Ireland. D’Aurelie dominated and frustrated her much more experienced opponent to win a unanimous decision and an unprecedented double gold medal.
Brouillette, 17, lost her semifinal match to five-time national champion and world championship silver medalist, Carlagh Peake from Ballyhaunis, Ireland. Brouillette won the first round with sharp counters and movement but the pressure and timing of the Irish champion gave her the slight edge in rounds two and three with Brouillette losing a close decision.
Martinez, 18, lost his semifinal match to Scottish national champion Sonny Kerr by a close points decision. Martinez put the pressure on throughout the bout but had trouble dealing with the reach and movement of the Scot.
Hansen, 15, had two match bouts outside of the tournament as there was no junior division in the Celtic Cup, losing first to Irish national champion MJ Burk by split decision and to Irish title challenger Alex Noonan Carmody by stoppage.
Team B.C.’s overall results were eight golds, 10 silver and four bronze medals. The tournament represented a great opportunity for our boxer to test themselves against the some of the very best athletes in the world. All of our Nelson athletes fought extremely well against much more experienced competition and will improve immensely from the experience.
The Nelson Boxing Club hosts Fight Night at the Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, Oct. 21.