‘MarvelLous’ Martin Hackett produced a great performance last week, winning three tough contests on his way to lifting the Ulster Intermediate 67kg title.First up for Hackett was a testing contest on Monday night at the Dockers Club against experienced 28-year-old campaigner Sean Lennon.
The ‘veteran’ showed a lot of strength and forced Martin, who recently turned 17, to dig deep before running out a 12-6 winner. Next up was a bout with St Malachy’s/St George’s Paddy Mulligan.
Yet again this was a toe-to-toe slugfest with Mulligan taking two standing eight counts before the bout was stopped by referee Brendan Lowe in the third and final round.
22-year-old Mulligan showed great heart and determination but again Hackett’s punching was too accurate.
In the final Pegasus, Downpatrick’s Ryan Flanaghan was the test for Hackett, a clash of styles culminating in arguably the fight of the night.
Hackett won the first and third round with Flanaghan taking the second round.
Hackett administered two standing eight counts and was forced to take one himself.
Hackett’s power eventually told in the last 45 seconds as ran out a 29-23 winner to be crowned the youngest Ulster Intermediate champion.
This added to his five Ulster, County Antrim and All-Ireland trophies. This was a great showing from the youngest champion and the youngest competitor.
