In a scrap between two skilled fighters, Garda middleweight Daragh Gilroy outpointed FDNY’s Sean Dillon for the second time in nine months to punctuate a successful Irish outing in the third annual International Battle of the Badges at Madison Square Garden last Friday.
The 23-year-old County Kildare native posted the third and final victory by the four Irish boxers on the night. Tipperary heavyweight Dean Griffin and Dubliner Eoin O’Connor, who’s also a Garda middleweight, were the other winners. Cruiserweight Paddy Clavin, a 19-year ring veteran and Griffin’s teammate from Tipperary Fire and Rescue, was the only Irish to drop a decision.
DAZZLING DARAGH
In their first encounter on the “Thrilla in Camilla” card in Rockaway, Queens, last June, Gilroy banked on his speed and movement to decision Dillon, one of FDNY’s best boxers. He produced an encore performance with a clinical second round and a big third stanza – albeit he only got the nod on split points.
Earlier, Griffin, a southpaw, had used his prolific left hand to punch his way to victory over hometown favorite Jason Bergrin in a keenly contested bout.
Making his ring debut at the Garden of all places, the 35-year-old Bergrin came to fight. But it was Griffin, a year older and in just his second fight himself, who had the edge with a relentless left hook. The FDNY man attempted to rally in the final round, but was spent at the point. Griffin won by unanimous points.
O’Connor made it two wins out of two for the Garda after eking out a decision over the capable and rangy Oliver Patrouch at middleweight. The Dubliner, a six-year Garda veteran who started boxing in university, came out quickly throwing double jabs. In response, Patrouch kept calm and his distance while trying to time his shorter opponent coming in.
The action intensified in the second stanza with O’Connor outworking the FDNY newcomer for most of the stanza, and catching a good right uppercut for his efforts at one point.
Patrouch then proceeded to have a good third round, landing some good shots and bloodying O’Connor’s nose. But it wasn’t enough as the Garda man added another feather to his proverbial cap.
The Irish winning streak ended in the co-main event featuring the veteran Clavin, who’s been boxing for close to two decades against the younger, bigger McGrath, a Rockland County EMS.
Tipperary heavyweight Dean Griffin after his victory over FDNY’s Jason Bergrin.
A seasoned amateur himself who’s competed in this year’s MSG Ring Masters tournament, McGrath took the fight to Clavin from the first bell, engaging him in a close quarters battle. The Tipperary man, a two-time World Police Fire Games gold medalist, held his own but was outworked in the first rounds.
He rallied in the third heat, trapping McGrath on the ropes at times but it was too little too late as youth prevailed over experience. Clavin dropped a unanimous points decision.
The show also included FDNY fighters in action against first responders from other cities and London, England. Following were the other results on the night:
Fourteen-year-old Axel Almazo [Park Hill Cops & Kids] beat Chris Abernante [Champion Breed Boxing] via RSC in the second round of their featherweight contest;
Light heavyweight Gavin Conner [Denver FD] defeated Dominik Burridge [London Fire Brigade, UK] on split points;
Heavyweight Kristian Latiker [Atlanta PD] outpointed Chris Puch [FDNY Lad. Co. 9];
Cruiserweight Sam Kelly [FDNY Eng. 1] bested Shane Mendoza [London Fire Brigade];
Light heavyweight James Gennari [FDNY Lad. Co. 24] beat Mikael Stone [Atlanta PD];
Welterweight Nicole Malpeso [FDNY Eng. 158] had a walkover win over Meg Kilroe [Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass.];
Middleweight Carlos Sandoval [Harris County PD, Tx] aced Chris Paladino [Yonkers FD Eng. 312];
Welterweight Jimmy Howell [FDNY Lad. Co. 155] outworked Gary Nieves [NYC Dept. of Sanitation];
Cruiserweight Rich Weinstein [FDNY Eng. 286] edged Craig Serino [Massport Fire & Rescue]; and
Super heavyweight Jonathan Bermeo [NYC Dept. of Sanitation] got the nod over Obi Nwachukwu [Rock PD, Tx].
The event raised $50,000 of which $25,000 will go to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and $25,000 to other charities. In the past three years, a total of $275,000 has been donated to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, said FDNY Boxing Club president Bobby McGuire.
The Foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star/fallen first responder families, builds smart homes for injured veterans, and works to end veteran homelessness.
In addition, a donation was made to disabled former Marine Matthew Hannon. The other charities supported include the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and the FDNY Foundation.
