Portlaoise Boxing Club’s Louis Griffin cards another big win

Portlaoise Boxing Club head coach, Pat Ryan was hugely pleased with the performance of Louis Griffin as he surmounted the challenge of World Junior Championship silver medallist, Jatin in last week’s youth international between Ireland and a France and India selection.

Griffin lined out in Holy Family Boxing Club in Drogheda for the second of two tournaments that made up this international series, his 5-0 victory in the 62kg contest against the India international helping see Ireland emerge top with 13 wins, while India notched up eight and France, four.

“Louis' performance was top class” remarked Ryan. “He was boxing against a southpaw, so the plan was to use specific combinations against this particular opponent.

“Louis implemented and executed that plan so well. He takes instruction very well, he really listens and executes everything to the best of his ability.

“He backs himself 100 percent and he’s growing in confidence all the time. Louis is a remarkable young man. He comes to train during the week, maybe on two occasions, and then he stays the weekend because we have the dormitory, so he’s very committed.” It has been a very encouraging start to the year for Griffin who won the National Youth Competition 63.5kg title back in January, earning a hard-fought 3-2 split decision over 2023 World Junior Championship quarter-finalist, Patrick Kelly of St. Abbans/Kilmyshall in the final in the National Stadium.

And last week’s victory over an opponent, the calibre of Jatin marks another step forward for the 17-year-old boxer, who will be one of five competitors from Portlaoise BC contesting this summer’s National Under 18 Championships in the hope of ultimately qualifying for the Europeans.

For Ryan, Griffin’s success against Jatin held special significance, given Portlaoise Boxing Club’s connections with India, the club’s founder, Billy Blackwell originally having moved with his family from India to Ireland back in 1911.