Team Ireland Returns Stories November 2024

Jimenez wins showdown in main event

DUNMORE – Dustin Jimenez did not have to look far to find his opponent. Evan Fitzgerald was right in front of him, coming forward for three rounds.

The National Golden Gloves champion from Rochester, New York, was able to sit back, pick his spots and earn a win on points over Fitzgerald in a 145-pound bout in front of a sold out crowd of 650 in the main event of Team Ireland Returns Club International Boxing 3 at the Holiday Inn Scranton East on Nov. 2.

Fitzgerald, of Lucen, Ireland, was the more aggressive boxer and tried to force the action. Jimenez was content to keep distance and land from the outside.

“I wanted to stay far away and keep turning him,” Jimenez said. “I wanted to stay off the ropes as much as possible; I didn't want to get stuck in a corner or anything like that so I just stayed far and turned him as much as possible. I wanted to stay away from the holding because I knew that if he got close to me, besides getting hit and stuff like that, he was going to want to hold me and then if I got held he would have pushed me back to the ropes like that so I just wanted to stay far and stay in the middle of the ring.”

Jimenez landed a left-right combination in the first round and, after Fitzgerald scored with a left hook upstairs, Jimenez landed a jab and a quick short left hook to the body.

“If there's a guy that wants to back you up and you just keep letting your hands go then it will probably slow him down a little bit,” Jimenez said. “If some guy wants to come forward, the best way is to tire him out and the best way to do that is to go to the body.”

Jimenez went back to the jab in the second round and then landed a stinging left hook as Fitzgerald came in. In the third round, Jimenez landed a good straight right as Fitzgerald tried to pressure and then scored with another left hook to the body.

“He was a tough opponent,” Jimenez said. “I was the taller guy and I just tried to use it to my advantage; tried to stay away from him. I stayed in my comfort zone and I just stuck to my game plan.”

Gormley shines in co-main event

DUNMORE – Cahir Gormley used his size and reach advantage to earn a win on points over Anthony Muta in a 160-pound fight in front of a sold out crowd of 650 in the co-main event of Team Ireland Returns Club International Boxing 3 at the Holiday Inn Scranton East on Nov. 2.

Gormley, of Derby, Ireland, started the first round with the jab and landed a good straight right to the body. Muta, of Newfoundland, tried to get inside but Gormley landed a good right upstairs and then a stinging right to the body.

“Back home I always train working off my jab,” Gormley said. “Keeping the basics of boxing, learning a good jab. My dad is my coach and he always says the right hand can take you around the block but the jab can take you around the world.”

Gormley landed a right in the second round but Muta answered with a short right hook upstairs. Muta forced his was inside in the third round and landed a right but Gormley then went back to the jab to earn the victory.

“Kept the basics, kept a long jab, kept a long distance, kept what I was good at and after the long jab I started getting right hands and hooks off it,” Gormley said. “I boxed well but he was a tough opponent. It was a good fight but I boxed to the best of my ability and got the job done. I want to thank (promoter) Doug Long for getting me on the show and letting me showcase my talent to the American fans and they were all loving it and cheering with the Irish music. It's been such a surreal experience.”

Venesky improves to 2-0

DUNMORE – Zack Venesky continues to work and see improvements in the gym and the hard work paid off with a victory on points over Ronan Malone in a heavyweight bout in front of a sold out crowd of 650 at Team Ireland Returns Club International Boxing 3 at the Holiday Inn Scranton East on Nov. 2.

Venesky, of Peckville, used his jab and then was able to land some power shots off of it.

“Working off the jab just kinds of opens everything up,” Venesky said. “You can see how he's moving with the feints so you can pick your punches after that.”

Venesky started jabbing in the first round and then landed a couple of right hooks. Malone, of Cork, Ireland, then blocked a jab but Venesky was able to connect with another right. Malone landed a straight right hand in the second round but Venesky was able to answer with a right hook. The pair exchanged punches in the third round and then Venesky caught Malone with a strong right.

“That's everything that our coaches teach us,” Venesky said. “(Coach) Gene (Reed) was telling me before that you kind of have to split the pace up, be aggressive and then kind of back off and let him fall into some punches and it was just kind of finding it there with the uppercut and the counters. It's just all about getting better every day and I definitely saw some improvements in some things from my last fight to this one. All the guys in the gym are getting better and better and as a club we're proud to see it.”

Team Ireland Returns 3 Results

Luke Collins def. Jonathan McDonagh on points, 85 pounds

Kimberly Zemporltecatl def. Holly Harrington on points, 112 pounds

Paddy Harrington def. Mason Wells on points, 72 pounds

Julian Melendez def. Ronan Burke on points, 117 pounds

Micah Burris def. Matthew Riely on points, 118 pounds

Gennadii Kozlov def. Ciaran Nixon on points, 154 pounds

Zinnat Ferdus def. Leah O'Keefe on points, 116 pounds

Jesse Burke def. Kevin Morales on points, 145 pounds

Justin Wojtowicz def. Fionn Spillane on points, 127 pounds

Josiah Gardenhire def. Reece Buckley on points, 160 pounds

Kaite O'Keefe def. Teaira Skinner on points, 110 pounds

Jarrod Thomas def. Osin Singleton on points, 143 pounds

Tibor Babes def. Ed Mara by TKO in Round 2, 188 pounds

Cahir Gormley def. Anthony Muta on points, 160 pounds

Dustin Jimenez def. Evan Fitzgerald on points, 145 pounds

Zack Venesky def. Ronan Malone on points, heavyweights

Devine Grambling def. Cody O'Rielly on points, 147 pounds

Stefhan Caple def. Dara Gettings on points, 132 pounds

Luis Santiago def. Evan Minicozzi on points, 119 pounds

Saviel Torres Jr. def. Sean Donovan on points, 128 pounds

Birane Gaye def. Christian Palomino on points, 152 pounds

Alain Bushwati def. Elijah Torres on points, 119 pounds