New Ross Standard

Perfect ten as Kennedy ends dream year in style BOXING

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GOREY’S Niall Kennedy ended a memorable year with a perfect tenth profession­al victory, scoring a second round knock-out against Danny Calhoun in Massachuse­tts, USA on Saturday evening.

The powerful Wicklow Town based Garda came late to the profession­al game but he’s making up for lost time, now holding both the New England title and the IBA Americas belt after this superb victory. It took the heavyweigh­t just two rounds to see off Calhoun, ripping him to shreds with a brutal body shot that left the Chicago native unable to continue.

The TKO gave ‘Basil’ his third victory of the calendar year.

All three wins were against opponents with winning records, starting with a knockout victory over Jesse Barboza back in March.

Kennedy really put his name out there as one to keep a close watch on when he took a split decision against Alexis Santos in September - an opponent who had 18 victories from 19 fights before he met the Gorey gutter.

This latest success means that Kennedy, who fights under the Murphy’s Boxing stable in Boston, can expect to step up the ladder further in 2018.

He is currently ranked 71 in the world by boxrec.com.

Kennedy, who fielded for Wexford with the big ball at underage level, became a father to son M.J., earlier in the year. This victory is the perfect icing on the cake. He tweeted after the win: ‘Just won via second round ko with a body shot absolutely over the moon.

‘I believe there was no live stream due to technical difficulti­es but im delighted 10-0 6kos and another title #teamboombo­om thanks every1 for ur support

‘So many people have wished me good luck and congratula­ted me and I genuinely appreciate every msg text or tweet ur kindness is deadly personally iv had an amazing 2017 and am excited for 2018 @murphysbox­ing @KenDKM @packycolli­ns massive thanks to my wife and d main man #MJ’

 ??  ?? Gorey boxer Niall Kennedy.
Gorey boxer Niall Kennedy.

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