Tredagh Boxing Academy proudly represented Ireland at the prestigious 2025 Manchester Senior and U18 International Box Cup, held at Leigh Sports Village in Manchester. This renowned event attracted elite talent from across Europe and the United Kingdom, with finals day broadcast live on Sky Sports – underlining the high calibre of competition.

Three Tredagh boxers participated in the tournament, delivering outstanding performances across multiple weight classes.

Darragh Smyth competed in the U18 category and faced a formidable opponent from St. Mary’s Boxing Club, Dublin, in the semi-final. Despite having significantly less experience than the current Dublin Champion, Darragh delivered a composed and courageous performance over three fiercely contested rounds.

The bout was a technical and tactical battle with both men landing heavy shots at various stages of the contest, with many observers believing Darragh had edged rounds one and three. However, the decision was given as a narrow split in favour of the Dublin boxer.

While the result did not go his way, Darragh showcased his immense skill and determination, earning the respect of spectators and coaches alike. Darragh’s opponent went on to stop his English opposition in the first round of the final to be crowned champion.

Patrick Lavery faced a strong English Champion in the Senior Heavyweight semi-final. After an evenly contested first two rounds, Patrick elevated his performance in the final round, landing powerful backhand crosses and lead hooks that clearly swung the momentum in his favour.

Despite his dominant finish, the bout ended in another narrowly split decision, this time awarded to the English boxer. It was a bout that looked that Patrick had won with 2 ofthe 3 English judges voting in favour of the English boxer. Patrick’s opponent would go on to win the final, further underscoring the quality of Patrick’s showing.

Jack Newman’s tournament began with a semi-final matchup against a southpaw from England. The contest was halted midway through the first round due to a medical retirement by his opponent, following several powerful exchanges where Jack demonstrated his signature punching power.

In the final, Jack faced Cian Heaney of Celtic Eagles Boxing Club, Galway – a fellow Irishman who had defeated the local English champion in his semi-final. The final proved to be an electrifying encounter between two top-tier athletes.

From the opening bell, Heaney pressed forward aggressively, only to be met with Jack’s effective jab and pinpoint backhand counters. Despite an elbow to the back of the head resulting in an unexpected standing count against Jack, he recovered with poise and intensified his assault, exchanging heavy blows in a thrilling round.

Round two saw Jack dominate with accurate, high-tempo combinations, constantly breaking the Galway man’s rhythm. His movement and ring generalship were on full display, using lateral steps and heavy counter-punching to control the exchanges.

In the final round, both fighters traded in close quarters, but Jack's superior technique and fitness allowed him to edge the exchanges convincingly. While this was the Galway man's tactics and game plan, Jack got back to his game plan and used his angles to great effect to set up more menacing hard hitting combinations incorporating beautifully timed hooks and backhand uppercuts.

The Galway man also had successes with his hard-hitting backhand in a truly epic battle. It’s a bout which had all eyes on their ring and many of the neutral joined in on spurring both warriors on.

The judges awarded Jack Newman a unanimous decision victory, crowning him 2025 Manchester International Box Cup Senior 80kg Champion. His performance drew admiration from coaches, fans, and neutral spectators alike.

All three Tredagh boxers – Darragh Smyth, Jack Newman, and Patrick Lavery – boxed with distinction, skill, and heart on an international stage. Both Smyth and Lavery narrowly missed out on finals via split decisions against eventual champions, while Jack Newman brought home championship gold with a standout performance in the 80kg division.

The Tredagh Boxing Academy commends all three athletes for their discipline, sportsmanship, and exceptional efforts. Special thanks are extended to the families and supporters who travelled with the team, providing unwavering encouragement throughout the tournament.

Notably, all three boxers returned to training the day after arriving home – a testament to their commitment and hunger for continued success. The experience gained at this high-level competition will no doubt serve them well in future contests.

Well done to Darragh, Jack, and Patrick – and to the entire Tredagh Boxing Academy team. The Tredagh Junior Team are in action next in July when 15 young guns travel to Manchester for the Junior International Box Cup to gain further international experience.

Tredagh Boxing Academy are always looking to recruit new talent and have classes for 7-year-olds right up to Senior level. Calll 087 9944 799 for further details.