Boxing clever
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Jamie Kennedy: Ulster title winner.
A TOOME boxing champion returned to his former school in Randalstown last week to give the member of the school boxing club a masterclass in the ways of his sport.
Twenty-year-old Jamie Kennedy moved to Toome recently took the Ulster Senior Light Welterweight title, an accolade once held by Paul McCloskey.
Some pundits believe he could ultimately follow in the footsteps of Antrim's Mark Winters, whose silky skills took him to Commonwealth Silver and the British title in the same weight class.
Jamie took on Eamon Magee in the title fight in December. Best mates outside the ring, both men put their friendships aside to produce a cracking three rounds of boxing which Kennedy shaded by one point.
Speaking to the Antrim Guardian during his return to St Benedict's College in Randalstown last week, he explained that he discovered his talent for the sport soon after taking it up aged 12.
“My uncle was into boxing and I started at Toome Boxing Club where I still box out of," he said.
“I loved it from the start and after six weeks I won the Antrim novices and started to work my way up through the competitions."
Jamie is no stranger to lifting trophies for his achievements, having won the All Ireland title and previous Ulster titles an impressive four times.
His potential was clear at St Benedict's, with former teachers describing him as a 'great all rounder' and an 'absolute gentleman'.
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