Absent Egan the talk of the stadium

BOXING: AS MUCH bemused as embarrassed, officials were at a loss to explain why Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan, the flag bearer for the sport, failed to turn up for Ireland's international amateur bout with the US at the National Stadium last night.

Egan, one of the Irish stars in Beijing, did not weigh in at the venue on Thursday evening for his light heavyweight bout with Sijoula Shabazz, and didn’t show up yesterday evening with the rest of the Irish team.

The contest was to be Egan’s first against international opposition since China and his first since he became the only man to win nine senior national titles in succession, when he beat Tommy McCarthy a week ago.

There was no official explanation for the Neilstown fighter’s no-show as both teams lined out in the ring for the anthems prior to the contests and Egan was not among them.

The official position seemed to be one of confusion about his whereabouts, and repeated calls to his mobile phone remained unanswered. Officials simply said that they didn’t know where he was.

To compound matters, Egan had been named as captain of the Irish team for the contest, and that honoured position may now come under threat, unless he arrives into head coach Billy Walsh with a good reason.

Brendan Fitzpatrick, from the West Finglas club, a semi-finalist in the senior championships, stepped in for the Olympian in the 81kg division.

The disappearing act will do little to curb the Dubliner’s growing reputation as regular tabloid material. He is scheduled to appear on Ryan Tubridy’s RTÉ chatshow tonight with Bernard Dunne and Katie Taylor.

In the ring, Egan’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team-mate Paddy Barnes, who was promoted to captain for the night, launched Ireland’s effort off to a blistering start when he beat Colorado’s Louie Byrd in the light-flyweight division.

The young Belfast fighter took a 9-0 lead in the first round, blitzing his opponent with lefts and rights and finally chalking up a one-sided, 22-2 win.

But perhaps the largest cheer of the night went to lightweight World champion Katie Taylor, who went in against American champion Queen Underwood and proceeded to teach her a harsh lesson. Taylor, who has not fought in Ireland for two years, was devastating in all departments, with her hand speed, accuracy, balance and movement, and Underwood took a succession punishing shots to head and body.

The Bray fighter sped to a 3-0 lead within seconds of the start, and was 9-1 up after the first two-minute round, 22-2 ahead by the end of the second and ended the bout a 30-3 winner.

“It’s my first one back since the World Championships. She was a tough opponent, a great workout for me. I’m happy enough, but absolutely knackered to be honest,” said Taylor, who remains hopeful women’s boxing will be part of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Barnes’ Dublin team-mate Declan Geraghty faced world champion opposition in the 51kg class. The 2007 American gold medallist, Raushee Warren, beat the inexperienced Geraghty 15-4.

More class arrived later with John Joe Nevin again showing what an attractive fighter he is. Wonderful movement and cleverly placed scoring made the Cavan man a 16-1 winner against Michigan’s Ernesto Garza.

Ross Hickie had an impressive, 19-6 win over Texan Eric Fowler, while Crumlin’s Philip Sutcliffe won a tight bout against Tennessee’s Charles Watson 13-9.

Ireland beat the USA at the National Stadium– 48kg P Barnes (Irl) bt L Byrd (USA) 22-2; 51kg R Warren (USA) bt D Geraghty (Irl) 15-4; 54kg JJ Nevin (Irl) bt E Garza (USA) 16-1; 57kg R Williams (USA) bt C Frampton (Irl) 13-10; 60kg R Hickey (Irl) bt E Fowler (USA) 19-6; 64kg P Sutcliffe (Irl) bt C Watson (USA) 13-9; 69kg W McLoughlin (Irl) bt J Starks (USA) 15-10; 75kg D O'Neil (Irl) bt A Whitfield (USA) 13-5.

Women's Elite International– K Taylor (Irl) bt Q Underwood (USA) 30-3.