Ireland's biggest amateur boxing league returns to Kilkenny

The Marble City Boxing League, now widely renowned as the biggest amateur boxing league in Ireland returns for its 17th year in Kilkenny this Friday night.

The league, initially tailored to local boxers in Kilkenny and surrounding areas but in 2019 broadened its opening, welcoming boxers from all over the country.

'Build it and they will come,' was the view of club head coach, Garry Kehoe, adopted when revolutionising the league.

"I’ve always had an appetite to expand the league, make it bigger and better each year, welcome boxers from all over Ireland and abroad which in turn raises the standard of boxing by bringing the best fighters from all over the Country together in one hall which only benefits the boxers, they’re gaining invaluable experience," he said.

Over the past 18 months, an unrivalled 15 English clubs entered the league, a feat unmatched across the country, while last season the Kilkenny club delivered 525 fights in 15 nights of boxing with 127 national champions, 15 European and World medalists and current Elite Senior Champions all stepping through the ropes.