Michael Conlan (featherweight)
2019: 3-0, career: 13-0
THE biggest draw in Irish boxing nowadays, Conlan signed off on a year of steady progress with a landslide points win over Olympic Games nemesis Vladimir Nikitin at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Conlan began 2019 by out-pointing Ruben Garcia Hernandez at the Garden before he focussed his energy on a return home as the headline act on the very successful Feile an Phobail card at his native Falls Park.
What a night that was. A purpose-built stadium packed out in the heart of west Belfast and headline act Conlan – who was originally supposed to fight Nikitin before the Russian pulled out with a bicep injury – sent the fans home happy by stopping Diego Alberto Ruiz to win the WBA and WBO Inter-Continental featherweight titles.
The WBO version was on the line when Conlan and Nikitin did go at it on December 14 and Conlan avenged his Olympic Games loss with a shut-out points win. He dominated the 10 rounds, mixing slick defence with fast hands and was able to mix it with brawler Nikitin when he needed to. On St Patrick’s Day next year he’ll be back at Madison Square Garden and, assuming all goes according to plan, he’ll be in the frame for a world title shot before the end of the year.
Katie Taylor (light-middleweight)
2019: 3-0, career: 15-0
THE only way was up for her after she unified the lightweight division and Taylor became only the third Irish fighter – after Steve Collins and Carl Frampton – to win world titles at two weights when she scored a hard-won unanimous decision win over Christina Linardateu in Manchester.
Trained by Ross Enamait, dedicated Taylor began 2019 as the WBA and IBF lightweight world champion. She added the WBO belt by stopping previously unbeaten Rose Valente in Philadelphia and just three months later she became the undisputed queen of the division when, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, the Bray native out-boxed Delfine Persoon over 10 competitive rounds.
A role-model for female sport, Taylor will continue to target the best next year and the pity is that it seems she is unlikely to fight on her native soil.
Carl Frampton (super-featherweight)
2019: 1-0 Career: 27-2
KEPT his powder dry throughout 2019 and fought just once – a return to form against previously unbeaten Tyler McCreery in Las Vegas on November 30.
His lay-off was extended by a freak accident in August just days before he was due to face Emmanuel Dominguez in Philadelphia. A concrete pillar in his hotel lobby fell on his hand, breaking the fifth metacarpal on his left hand and forcing him out of the fight. Frampton returned to beat McCreery over 10 rounds at a catchweight 128lbs but injured both hands in the process and required surgery last week.
Fitness permitting, he now looks certain to take on WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring in Lay with Belfast’s SSE Arena the most likely venue although Windsor Park and Madison Square Garden have also been mentioned.
The Jackal will be 33 by then but by no means over the hill. Herring is physically bigger but, as promoter Bob Arum remarked: “They’ll both weigh the same at the weigh-in”.
Anthony Cacace (super-featherweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 18-1
RUMOURS of the end of his boxing career were greatly exaggerated. This time last year ‘the Apache’ looked washed-up. He didn’t fight at all in 2018 and the word was that he had hung up his gloves.
But the classy Belfast super-featherweight returned with spectacular effect in 2019.
Ignited by his return to former amateur coach Harry Hawkins, Cacace made up for lost time by beating experienced Alan Castillo (26-7) in February and then set his sights on a second British title fight against big-hitting Sam Bowen.
As the challenger, away from home, not given tickets for his family or allowed to wear the gloves he wanted, the odds were stacked against Cacace but he ripped up the script and captured the Lonsdale belt with masterful display of boxing. That win has opened a lot of doors for him and if he retains his focus, the affable southpaw can find a way through them.
Tommy McCarthy (cruiserweight)
2019: 4-1, career 16-2
McCARTHY’S Italian job is one of the stand-out memories of 2019. In October the Lenadoon cruiserweight travelled to Trento to take on defending champion Fabio Turchi and broke the Italian down to win the WBC International title.
It was a coming-of-age performance from McCarthy who had shown glimpses of his class previously but hadn’t put together the focussed 12-rounds that he produced to dethrone Turchi.
“It's definitely the win of my career,” said McCarthy afterwards.
“I felt comfortable in the fight, I dug deep when I had to and I used everything that I had to – my boxing skills, my grip, my power… It was a great performance.
Previously McCarthy had lost for the second time in his career against big-punching Richard Riakporhe. McCarthy had started well in that fight, hurting the Londoner in the second round, before he was caught with a booming right hand in the fourth.
Tyrone McKenna (light-welterweight)
2019: 3-0, career: 20-1-1
THREE wins out of three for ‘the Mighty Celt’ who won the WBC International title and defended it against Mikey Sakyi with one of the most disciplined and impressive performances of his career in the quarter-finals of the ‘Golden Contract’ tournament.
A natural entertainer (who is now sporting a tattoo of fellow fighter Tyrone McCullagh) McKenna does tend to mix it more than he needs to at times but he is now being trained by the astute Pete Taylor. The Dubliner should get the best out of the talented – and now experienced – tall, rangy southpaw.
Tyrone McCullagh (super-bantamweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 14-0
THE Derry fighter had a quiet 2019 but he is now looking forward to the semi-finals of the featherweight edition of the Golden Contract tournament in February. ‘White Chocolate’ defended his WBO European title against Alvaro Rodriguez in May and then scored a unanimous points win over Razaq Najib. He’ll be chasing more belts in 2020.
Luke Keeler (middleweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 17-2-1
KEELER was fighting journeymen two years ago, now he is preparing for a shot at Demetrius Andrade’s WBO title.
The Dubliner’s improvement under Pete Taylor’s astute coaching has been remarkable. He began the year with a rematch against Conrad Cummings and beat the Coalisland fighter comfortably on points at the Ulster Hall to regain the WBO European title. His climb up the rankings continued when he went on to out-point Luis Arias at Falls Park and with those wins he forced his way into contention for a shot at Andrade’s belt in Miami, Florida on January 30.
Steven Ward (light-heavyweight)
2019: 3-1, career 12-1
THE Quiet man from Newtownabbey hauled himself off the canvas to beat Liam Conroy and win the European light-heavyweight title and, after a spell training alongside Carl Frampton in Las Vegas, he was looking forward to finishing off the year with a bang in the quarter-finals of his division’s Golden Contract tournament.
Ward didn’t pay too much attention to his rivals, reasoning that doing so was wasting energy because he might never get to face them. He concentrated on improving his own game but his mindset may have counted against him and his pick in the draw, Richard Bolotniks, caught him early on with a peach of a shot that left Ward clinging on.
He did his best to ride out the storm but never recovered and the fight was stopped after he went down for the third time. No doubt the defeat was a setback but it isn’t one that Ward won’t be able to battle back from next year.
Sean McComb (light-welterweight)
2019: 4-0, career: 9-0
SLICK and skilful, ‘the Public Nuisance’ also had to show that he has the resilience to go with his talent when he came through the first crisis of his career after being forced to take a count in the fourth round against tough Argentinian Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez.
McComb recovered from the setback to win a genuine learning fight clearly on points. The experience should benefit him as he looks to kick on next year.
Steven Donnelly (light-middleweight)
2019: 4-0, career 8-0
BOXED superbly to win the Ultimate Boxxer 5 tournament in September and looked a class above his opponents. The Ballymena native stopped Lenny Fuller in the second round of the final after he had earlier beaten Ish O'Connor and Sean Robinson in his quarter and semi-final bouts. Having laid the foundations, he will now hope to kick on in his professional career.
Alfredo Meli (middleweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 17-0-1
THERE is something box office about the mild-mannered motor mechanic. A fearless Belfast fighting man to his core, ‘Fredo’ did the business against Achilles Szabo in his first outing of the year but was expected to finally lose his ‘0’ when highly-rated German Araik Marutjan came to the Falls Park in August.
Marutjan had developed a reputation as a fearsome hitter but Meli put his head on the bemused German’s chest and denied him the opportunity to swing in big shots. He did put the former ‘Mac’ man down but Meli got back up and scrapped his way to a points win. Needs to see more action next year.
Joe Fitzpatrick (lightweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 10-0
HAS harnessed the commitment in training to go with his undoubted talent and is now lining up for an intriguing BUI title scrap with Gary Cully in February.
The untimely passing of his father Gerry was a devastating blow to ‘Fitzy’, his family and the wider boxing circle and the ‘Mac Man’, who knocked out Belfast rival Stephen Webb in May, dedicated his Celtic title success against Iago Barros to his memory. There is plenty more to come from a talented fighter.
Jason Quigley (middleweight)
2019: 2-1, career: 17-1
REBUILDING after losing to the dangerous Tureano Johnson in July. Donegal middleweight Quigley didn’t come out for the 10th round in that fight but he returned to action in California in December and moved on from the setback by beating Abraham Cordero. Now trained by Andy Lee, the Killybegs native will hope to force his way back into the title scene next year.
Conrad Cummings
2019: 1-2, career: 17-4-1
HE has had a rough time of it in and out of the ring and looked to be at the crossroads when his technique fell to pieces against Danny Dignum in November.
Cummings, a decorated amateur who had fought in WSB, looked all at sea against the Englishman in what was supposed to be a fresh start and was knocked out for the first time in his career.
Earlier in the year, Cummings had been well beaten by Luke Keeler and, although he did beat journeyman Adam Grabiec, his subsequent loss to Dignum was a career low-point. A good guy with plenty to offer, he needs to take stock and get some good advice before he fights again.
Paddy Gallagher (welterweight)
2019: 1-2, career: 16-6
THE luckless ‘Pat-Man’ had Chris Jenkins down in the sixth round of their British title clash at Falls Park but lost the fight on decision after it was stopped due to cut caused by a clash of heads. Many at ringside thought he had won it and Gallagher was inconsolable afterwards. Needs a break to kick-start his career.
Aaron McKenna (middleweight)
2019: 4-0, career: 10-0
THE ‘Silencer’ is creating a buzz across the pond and steadily moved through the gears to 10-0 in 2019. Totally dedicated to the sport, the Monaghan fighter is based in the US with his dad and younger brother Stevie. Capped off an excellent year with a stoppage win against the durable Victor Gaytan. One to watch.
Lewis Crocker (welterweight)
2019: 3-0, career: 10-0
SPLIT with trainers Ray and Mark Ginley and switched to the Gleann gym formerly run by the now retired Gerard McManus. Crocker registered three wins last year. His first six contests ended in devastating knock-out victories but he boxed his way to points successes in 2019.
Caoimhin Agyarko
2019: 4-0, career: 6-0
STEADY progress for the London-based former Holy Trinity ABC star. Registered four wins, three of them early, and finished off an encouraging year by stopping the previously unstoppable Danail Stoyanov.
Padraig McCrory (super-middleweight)
2019: 3-0, career: 9-0
THE rangy Belfast fighter scored the win of his career so far with a ferocious finish against Steve Collins junior at Falls Park in August. That earned ‘The Hammer’ the BUI title and he took a break from boxing afterwards but will return to the ring on February 1.
Cathy McAleer (super-bantamweight)
2019: 2-0, career: 3-0
THE North’s only female fighter ended the year on a high by signing a promotional deal with Kellie Maloney. A former world karate and kick-boxing champion, the former Down ladies GAA star made her pro boxing debut in November 2018.
New faces
Sean Duffy (lightweight)
2019: 3-0
THE county Armagh native has tons of pedigree behind him from his amateur days and made good progress in his first year as a professional. He is working with Harry Hawkins and will look to kick on in 2020.
Paddy Donovan (welterweight)
2019: 3-0
THE Andy Lee-trained welterweight seems destined for stardom. Top Rank president Bob Arum spoke glowingly about his ability and prospects. Definitely one to watch.
Ruairi Dalton (super-featherweight)
2019: 1-0
‘ROOK’ made his long-awaited pro debut at the Ulster Hall in October. The former Commonwealth Games star out-pointed Jose Hernandez and will hope for a busy 2020.
Callum Bradley (super-featherweight)
2019: 3-0
OMAGH native Bradley – brother of former Conor McGregor sparring partner Tiarnan – showed glimpses of rich potential with three wins in his first year as a pro.
End of the road
Paddy Barnes
BARNES is now working with the IABA as a coach after announcing his retirement following a KO loss to Jay Harris at the Ulster Hall in October.
“I have loved every minute of boxing, it has been my life for the last 21 years,” said the popular north Belfast man.
“I have achieved my dream of becoming an Olympian and getting to carry the Irish flag at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Those moments were the proudest of my career. Professional boxing was never a dream of mine, bit I tried and threw myself into the deep end straight away.
"It didn’t work out but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’d like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my entire career, my wife Mari for keeping my feet firmly on the ground and helping me towards my goals.” He’ll be missed.
Marc McCullough (22-4)
BEATING Declan Geraghty to win the vacant IBF European super-featherweight title could have been the fight that got McCullough’s career back on track but, seven months later, the Belfast man announced his retirement from boxing on health grounds.
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