After winning double All-Ireland titles earlier this year, Grace Conway of Tredagh Boxing Academy was recently selected to represent Ireland at the World Junior Boxing Championships after she beat the English champion at a Junior International tournament in Dungarvan.

Grace joined the Ireland Junior High Performance Training Squad at the National Stadium in Dublin prior to her bout against the English ABA Champion Holly Haskins who is also the reigning European Junior Champion.

Grace herself won European Silver last year (a year out of her age) but unfortunately Ireland didn't send a team to this year's European Championships.

So this match up enthralled boxing enthusiasts and it certainly didn't disappoint. The first round saw the European Champion press the fight to Grace who used all her boxing skills on the back foot.

The first round looked to be edged by the English girl but a change of tactics and mind-set from Grace saw her win the second with her trademark back hand and lead hook while using her angles to frustrate Haskins.

It was all to fight for in the 3^rd round and Grace moved up through the gears to have her most impressive controlling round. Grace not only out-boxed Haskins but also became the aggressor at the right times after creating clever angles. 

The final bell ended an exciting battle between two of Europe’s, if not the World's, best girls at the weight. The final result saw Grace's hand raised in a very deserving victory.

Unfortunately Ireland were beaten 6 - 3 in the end by a very strong English Team. This was Grace’s second victory of 2023 against a European Champion. Grace has been picked in a 12 strong Irish Team to represent Ireland in the upcoming World Junior Boxing Championships in Yerevan in Armenia at the beginning of December.

This Dual Tournament was a fantastic preparation for Grace and her teammates for the upcoming World Championships.

The following Friday evening Grace boxed in the final of the Louth Open Championships in Dealgan where she boxed Aoife Duggan from Armagh Boxing Club who is an All-Ireland Champion a year older and a weight class above Grace. Grace boxed fantastic throughout the three rounds to take a unanimous decision on all of the judges’ cards.  Again more fantastic rounds for the World Championships.

Everyone at the Tredagh Boxing Academy would like to wish Grace the best of luck in the upcoming Junior World Boxing Championships.