Tenbury Amateur Boxing Club's Eddie 'Boom Boom' Kelly has put Tenbury on sporting map after Irish display (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Tenbury Amateur Boxing Club's Eddie 'Boom Boom' Kelly has put Tenbury on sporting map after Irish display

9:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in Sport By Ian Morgan

FIGHTER Eddie ‘Boom Boom’ Kelly has put Tenbury on the sporting map, says Martin ‘Paddy’ Brennan.

The teenager starred for an English team at a boxing show in Ireland and suffered a one-point defeat after a thrilling bout.

“I had no expectations about it - we were just taking on the fight to give Eddie the experience,” said Paddy, Tenbury Boxing Club’s founder and head coach.

“We were mixing with the best and Eddie and his 17-year-old opponent stood in the centre of the ring and traded blows.

“Eddie was two points ahead going into the last round but, six seconds before the end, the lad threw a combination of punches which caught Eddie.

“If Eddie had run, he would have won the fight, but the combination got his opponent over the line by one point - that’s how close it was.

“Over the three rounds, the fight was like a pendulum and, afterwards, everybody was on their feet cheering - it was a heck of a battle.”

Paddy was in Eddie’s corner for the Drimnagh Boxing Club Austin Car ruth Memorial Boxing Cabaret at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel in Dublin.

Eddie fought in the 80kg to 85kg section and was part of a 14-strong English team.

The Drimnagh Select Irish team won 7-5 in the 14-fight card at the Naas Road venue.

“From the moment we landed, it was a fantastic weekend and the level of boxing was the best I have ever seen,” said Paddy.

“There was even a Dutch team there and the level of respect was amazing.

“Everybody stood us for the national anthems and it was like we were in a bubble because it was so brilliant. The show was covered by the Irish Post and in the Irish Independent and it’s going into Boxing News.

“We have now been invited to the Netherlands and another show in Ireland.”

Paddy believes the town should be proud of Eddie’s display.

“Eddie did very well - and did the town of Tenbury proud.

“We spoke to a lot of people who said they didn’t know where Tenbury was.

“Others said they thought that Tenbury was in Wales.

“We had a fantastic weekend and I think we have definitely put Tenbury on the map.”