Boston's boxing community is preparing to welcome a young boxer from Northern Ireland to the Boston vs. Belfast match.
Established in 2016, Bridges Beyond Boxing Ireland is a cross-community boxing exchange program that promotes the integration of young people from the Unionist and Nationalist regions of Northern Ireland and other parts of Ireland.
With the help of boxing coaches Joe Lowe, Alan Martin and Ciaran Quinn, these young men will fight across more borders and borders than ever before in America.
Organizer and co-owner Mark Porter, a Donegal native, helped foster cultural exchange with the Boston division founded by Stephen Power.
Mark told IrishStar.com: And when they're here, they're a united team against America. ”
The exchange works both ways. Last April, Mark, Stephen and various coaches from Boston led a team of boxers to battle in North Belfast and the British Legion Post of Ballymoney. Visiting both sides of Northern Ireland's historic cultural divide is far less important than it once was. That is a fact that the coaches have not forgotten.
“Ten years ago that would have been a big deal. Now there's not as much effort between communities,” Mark explained. “But that's OK. It's good for these kids to come here to Boston and work with each other and the kids on the other side of the fence.”
On May 23, young fighters will take to the ring in Boston's City Hall Square to compete against kids from all over Massachusetts. Children from different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds come together to share their love of sports.
“It's a great experience. Catholic kids, Protestant kids, American kids. They all get to experience differences in and out of the ring. They play for different teams every time they come to the United States. We bring in so every kid has a chance,” Mark said.
Admission to the boxing show is free. All funds from sponsorship of this event will be funneled into this program, further investing in both transatlantic journeys. After visiting Boston, the Irish team will travel to Buffalo, New York on May 31st.
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