BANBRIDGE Boxing Club’s female fighters showed their talent in the Manchester Box Cup. In a competition with over 350 entries and over 50 females between the ages of 11-16, the trio from Banbridge ABC returned home with gold for Paige Nickels and silver for Orlaith Campbell and Lucie Prentice with Paige also picking up the outstanding overall female belt of the competition.
On finals day, first into the ring was Orlaith Campbell with only six bouts on her record and facing the English national runner-up Ruby Hussain.
Orlaith gave a great account of herself in a hard hitting three rounds which went to the judges’ decision with Orlaith narrowly missing out on a 2-1 split decision, picking up the sliver medal for her efforts.
Second into the ring for the Banbridge females was Lucie Prentice, again facing the English national runner-up, Elisha Walton.
In a high paced bout, both girls traded a high volume of punches.
Lucie controlled the ring wonderfully, landing high quality scoring blows with her opponent biting down and firing back in relentless fashion. Again it came down to the judges’ scorecards and again the dreaded 2-1 split decision was read out in favour of Lucie’s opponent. Lucie picked up sliver with her coaching team very impressed with her performance.
Last to step through the ropes was Banbridge’s seven times National champion and current Irish and UK champion, Paige Nickels, facing off against the three times and current English national champion, Francesca Goodman in what was tipped to be a top-class bout, and it did not disappoint.
Paige had to use all of her experience against the taller reaching opponent, with Paige controlling center of the ring, applying pressure with fast heavy punching combinations and Francesca using her ring craft to navigate the outside of the ring with range attacks.
By the third round, Paige’s hard-hitting offence was taking its toll with the greater successful punches landing. At the final bell it went to the judges’ decision again with all judges giving Paige all three rounds and awarding her the gold medal.
To top off Paige’s efforts, she was also awarded the outstanding overall female belt for the entire competition.
The Manchester event certainly showcased Banbridge ABC’s female boxers – Orlaith Campbell, Lucie Prentice and Paige Nickels – and three female coaches, Leah Nickels, Sinead Owens and Sarah Cunningham, along with female referee and judge Anne Murphy.
The trip would not have been possible, however, without the support of main sponsor Sean Casey from Glean App who provided funding for the whole trip and Banbridge ABC are very grateful for his ongoing support.
Paige Nickels (left) and opponent Francesca Goodman
John Fury with (front, from left) Lucie Prentice, Paige Nickels and Orlaith Campbell
Orlaith Campbell
Back row, left to right: Matt Kilpatrick, Paige Nickels, Lucie Prentice, Orlaith Campbell, Josh Kilpatrick, Franky Mooney, Callum McAlinden. Front row: Scott Watson, Isaac Ireland, Micheal Ward
Lucie Prentice
Left to right: Callum McAlinden, Sarah Cunningham, Jason McKay, Paige Nickels, Isaac Ireland, Sinead Owens, Micheal Ward, Orlaith Campbell, Lucie Prentice, Franky Mooney
Francesca Goodman and Paige Nickels (right)
Paige Nickels and Anne Murphy, right
John Fury and Paige Nickels
