LIMERICK’S TJ Moloney produced a heroic display to win the Junior Heavyweight National Boxing Championship title over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Fighting the more experienced Brendan Mongan of Dealgan BC (Dundalk), the Cappagh fighter was up against it in just his first year of competitive action.
His task was made more difficult when Mongan began the bout aggressively landing some telling blows and forcing the referee to give the Rathkeale BC representative a standing eight count.
Showing tremendous heart, grit and determination, Moloney regrouped at the interval and began landing some clean right hands in round two. Mongan finished the second round strongly but seemed to tire or wilt at the resistance of Moloney.
Knowing he was behind on the scorecards going into the final round, Moloney threw caution to the wind and piled the pressure on Mongan. A devastating left hook from the Limerick teenager saw the referee intervene and give Mongan a standing count.
When the action resumed, Moloney was relentless with his pressure landing unanswered blows and forcing a third-round stoppage.
Moloney joins fellow clubmate John Mongans as a National Champion.
