It’s time to get started with the nominations for the 2022 Irish-Boxing.com Awards as we celebrate the good and the great of the sport.
Over the next five days we will publish the 10 categories for decision.
Starting with us is the professional debut of the year, because what better place to start than a fighter’s first fight?
A whopping 16 Irish boxers debuted this year and somehow we have had to narrow them down.
There are honorable mentions for Glenn Byrne and Oisin Treacy, who overcame wars to boot, as well as first-round knockouts for Paddy Walsh and Jason Myers, but we’ve limited the nominations to just our TOP FIVE.
Votes are limited to ONE per IP address.
Emmet BrennanFinally making his professional debut, the Dublin super middleweight began with a six-round bout in July against the very solid Angel Emilov. While the Bulgarian has caused problems for other Irish boxers, Brennan controlled the competition throughout and sealed an early shot at a BUI Celtic title.
James FreemanGiven the feared swing fight on the Lopez-Conlan bill in Belfast in May, Armagh’s Freeman had to wait until close to midnight to take his bow. Sniffing an opportunity, journeyman Jordan Grannum attacked the relative rookie early, but Freeman, fighting with a broken right hand, weathered the storm and fought his way to the top to start with a victory.
Shane McConnellThe Waterford banger made his home debut in April and sent out a huge statement when he became the first person to stop the incredibly durable Seamus Devlin, felling the Celtic Cobra with ferocious body shots.
Shauna O’KeeffeAfter moving to England to attack the pros, the Tipperary super featherweight went straight to the deep end with a six-rounder against the very dangerous Vaida Masiokaite in December. After overcoming a rocky start, O’Keeffe repeatedly hurt the Lithuanian en route to an impressive points victory.
Matthew TyndallThe Bray welterweight was the star of JB Promotions’ inaugural show at the Warehouse in November. The former underage amateur phenom knocked down Sylwester Zieba with uppercuts in just one round.
Cast your votes below!
QuizMaker Quizzes
Voting will remain open until Saturday, January 6 and the results will be announced on Sunday, January 7.
Good luck to all the nominees!
