Callum Lysaght marks International debut for Ireland with impressive win

St Francis coaches with Callum Lysaght after his win versus Dutch champion Max Van Diesenne in the recent International event. Also pictured is Leon Moynihan (St Francis Boxer), who had a brilliant win in an undercard bout.

Callum Lysaght claims victory in his international debut for Ireland, defeating Dutch champion Max Van Diesenne in Mitchelstown, Cork

Callum Lysaght has become the first St Francis Boxing Club fighter since the late Kevin Sheehy to represent the club at international level, picking up a win in his debut against Max Van Diesenne.

The Limerick boxer claimed victory over the Dutch champion, capping a special day for Lysaght, who put his mark on the international stage.

St Francis Boxing Club coach Ken Moore told I Love Limerick the young fighter earned his opportunity following a busy and successful year thus far, which has seen Callum compete in two box cups, winning one outright and reaching the final in Scotland against top opposition.

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Ken Moore added, “He boxed in the under-19 championships, and that’s how he kind of came on the radar a bit for this, because this was an under-19 international against the Netherlands.

“When they contacted us, they asked if Callum would be available; he was still very fit. He was nearly at top-level fitness. So we had no problem putting him forward. Then we found out it was in Mitchelstown, which is close to home, which is great for us”

Moore said Lysaght rose to the occasion against a highly experienced Dutch opponent. From the opening bell, the Limerick fighter took the fight to his rival, pushing him back and maintaining the pressure throughout the contest.

Adding to Callum’s performance was great support from the stands, as Ken says a great turnout helped spur him on. He said, “It was fantastic that he got there, and it was a great day. He brought a huge crowd with him of his cousins and all those related to him. They usually make a lot of noise, which they did on the day. They nearly took the roof off!”

The achievement is another proud moment for St Francis Boxing Club, which has a long tradition of producing international athletes, and the young boxer joins a line of elite fighters, including his cousins Mark McNamara and the late Kevin Sheehy, who both represented Ireland through St Francis Boxing Club.

Speaking about the build-up to the contest, Moore noted it is a “big step up” but said he knew “he was going to put in a great performance”.

Ken said, “When the Dutch team was announced, and I saw that we had drawn with Max, and Max was their number one. He had a lot of international experience under his belt already. So that wasn’t a worry, but it was definitely something that was on my mind. But I have to be honest, Callum really stepped up again.”

The boxer’s focus is currently on academics as he is currently sitting his Leaving Certificate, but Moore told I Love Limerick, “ We’ll probably give him some downtime over the summer, and then we’ll work towards the next level.

“What he’s doing now, he’s going to step from minor to junior, or minor to senior. No matter what sport you’re in, that’s a huge step. So there’s gonna be a year or two of us levelling out. We’ll pick a couple of box cups to get him moved through to the under 22.

“Under 22s will be his next age group event, and then the seniors or the elites would be after that. But it will be one step at a time.”

The day proved a double celebration as another young fighter, Leon Moynihan, representing the club, had a win on the undercard.