The first World Boxing Championships begin today, Thursday, September 4th at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, bringing more than 540 boxers from 66 national federations together for a ten-day, combined men’s and women’s worlds across 10 weight classes each and with 80 medals (including 20 golds) ready to be won.
Ireland has travelled with a 17-boxer team co-captained by Aoife O’Rourke and Adam Hession, with all the boxers and their weight categories, as well as some of the bigger dangers, listed below.
Adam Hession, Kelyn Harrison, and Jennifer Lehans will all box in their preliminary rounds in the evening session on Thursday.
Fans can watch free on World Boxing’s website via Eurovision Sport or on World Boxing’s YouTube service with daily details once known on our rolling Seven Day Guide to sport on TV and Streaming.
World and Olympic headliners include Cuba’s Erislandy Álvarez and Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov, plus all-time great Julio César La Cruz at super-heavyweight.
In the women’s field, Poland’s Julia Szeremeta (57kg), Brazil’s Jucielen Romeu (57kg), Türkiye’s Buse Naz Çakıroğlu (51kg) and Hatice Akbaş (54kg), China’s Liu Yang (65kg), and Norway’s rising star Sunniva Hofstad (75kg) are among those to watch.
Weight-by-weight: contenders from Team Ireland.
Women
51kg (Flyweight): Daina Moorehouse (IRL); Olympic silver medallist Buse Naz Çakıroğlu (TUR) among favourites.
54kg (Bantamweight): Jenny Lehane (IRL); watch Hatice Akbaş (TUR) and Aeji Im (KOR).
57kg (Featherweight): Michaela Walsh (IRL) lines up against a deep class featuring Julia Szeremeta (POL), Jucielen Romeu (BRA) and Alyssa Mendoza (USA).
60kg (Lightweight): Zara Breslin (IRL).
65kg (Light-welter): Gráinne Walsh (IRL); medal threats include Liu Yang (CHN) and Chin Chen (TPE).
70kg (Light-middle): Lisa O’Rourke (IRL).
75kg (Middleweight): Aoife O’Rourke (IRL); possible showdown with Atheyna Bylon (PAN) and in-form Sunniva Hofstad (NOR).
Men
50kg (Light-fly): Louis Rooney (IRL).
55kg (Bantamweight): Patsy Joyce (IRL); Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov is a major contender.
60kg (Lightweight): Adam Hession (IRL); Olympic champion Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB) headlines the category.
65kg (Light-welter): Dean Clancy (IRL); Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev (UZB) among the favourites.
70kg (Light-middle): Matthew McCole (IRL).
75kg (Middleweight): Gavin Rafferty (IRL); watch Fazliddin Erkinboev (UZB).
80kg (Light-heavy): Kelyn Cassidy (IRL).
85kg (Cruiser): Brian Kennedy (IRL); Uzbekistan’s Akmaljon Isroiliv is in the mix.
90kg (Heavyweight): Jack Marley (IRL).
90kg+ (Super-heavy): Martin McDonagh (IRL); Cuban icon Julio César La Cruz and Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Zokirov add star power.
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Boxing
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