Vinny set to box in Portugal

Having had his appetite for international action whetted recently with his first boxing trip outside the UK in Austria a few weeks back, he will once again set off for foreign shores this Thursday, with Portugal his destination.

The 19-year-old, from Dunclug, has been selected as part of a County Antrim Board panel who will compete in a multi-nations tournament in which he will have three bouts, as he broadens his experience against competitors from other countries.

“Vinny enjoyed his experience in Austria, which was the first time he had been on an international boxing trip, and he is looking forward to this one,” his All Saints Boxing Club coach Gerry Hamill told Times Sport.

“He looks in decent shape and he will do a bit more sparring this week before he goes.

“The next year of Vnny career could be very important because a lot of the top Ulster seniors have chosen to jon the professional ranks so there are gaps within Ulster amateur boxing that someone like Vinny could fill if he continues to make progress,” added Gerry.