Boxing is certainly riding a high in Galway, with more success for the Olympic Boxing Club.
It boasts a new European title holder in Gabriel Dossen, who this week joined the club's growing elite when he won gold at the men’s European Elite Boxing Championships in Armenia.
The 22-year-old middleweight, born in the Ivory Coast, defeated England’s Lewis Richardson in their 75kg decider by unanimous decision after a close-fought contest in which each won rounds to produce a nerve-wracking final bout.
All the more amazing is that Dossen was making his debut in this grade, having also won medals at European youth level.
Dossen, who moved to Ireland with his family as a tot, has been a member of the club for four years, having begun his boxing career with Furbo. Currently coached by Mike Mongan, his success is not unexpected, given he has competed in numerous national finals, winning nine in recent years, while also competing at World Youth and European Youth championships, where on both occasions he won bronze.
Injury robbed him of hopes of Olympic selection, but there is no doubt this young man, who is studying at AIT Athlone, will not be resting on this particular laurel.
It has been a huge week for the Olympic club after the recent success of Lisa O'Rourke at the recent World Championships, along with sister Aoife, the 2019 European champion.
The club, which was guided for many years by the late Chick Gillen, who coached Olympian Francis Barrett, will host a homecoming for Dossen and the O'Rourke sisters at the club on Saturday from 12 noon.
