We have profiled athletes in recent weeks who have given their all to their respective sports, and in the world of Irish boxing, Kenny Egan has displayed no shortage of boundless energy.
By Declan Whooley
The 31 year-old Olympic medallist called an end to his career after a heavy defeat to rival Joe Ward in the Irish National Light-Heavyweight title fight last weekend, but he retires after a career that had more than its fair share of ups and downs, both inside and outside the ring, leaving a legacy as one of our most successful boxers behind.
The 10-time National title winner has been one of the shining lights of Irish boxing and along with his bronze medal in Beijing, has two European amateur medals to show for his efforts.
Aside from his boxing exploits, Egan has endeared himself to the public in recent years by speaking out about his addictions, which seemed to spiral out of control after his Olympic success. His book was a ‘warts and all’ story, documenting the pitfalls of a lack of discipline for a top athlete, while also highlighting the strides made in Irish boxing over the past decade.
Egan has been part of a select band of boxers to come through the High Class Performance Unit created by the Irish Sports Council and headed by Billy Walsh, which has reaped the rewards with a string of Olympic medals in recent years.
Beijing silver
The Clondalkin man’s finest hour came when he reached the final of the light Heavyweight division, where he was defeated by local boxer Xiaoping Zhang 11-7, and was given a rapturous welcome on his return home.
Since his first national title in 2001, when he defeated Kevin Walsh, Egan dominated Irish boxing, with Joe Ward putting an end to his run of success in 2011, with an 11-6 ictory in the final. Ward was to get the better of him again the following year with a convincing victory and Egan missed out on qualification for the London Games and the chance to win a second gold medal.
Fittingly it was Ward, one of the few boxers to get the better of Egan, who brought an end to his career at the National Stadium last Saturday night. The Olympian received a standing ovation and thanked all those who had helped him achieve so much in his career.
Described by Irish head coach Billy Walsh as ‘one of the best boxers of his generation’ and a ‘magnificent ambassador’ by Tommy Murphy, President of the Irish Boxing Association, there is little doubt his boundless energy has left its mark on the sport.
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