Boxing:Irish Olympian Ken Egan got his World Series of Boxing (WSB) career off to a winning start after he won his bout against American Anthony Dorian in Miami last night.
The Dublin boxer, who signed a three-year deal to fight for the Miami Gallos in the WSB, helped his team come from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Matadors 3-2 at the American Airlines Arena.
The win lifted Miami to joint top of the table in the four-team group and alongside the Mexico City Guerreros on three points. The Guerreros beat Memphis Force 5-0 last weekend.
The Matadors raced into a 2-0 lead following respective wins for Fernando Martinez and Eric Fowler over Meza Ochoa and Adrian Martinez Medina.
But three straight victories for William Williams, Egan and Trent Rawlins sealed a 3-2 victory for the hosts.
Egan, who won Olympic silver at the Beijing Games, secured an impressive unanimous points decision over 2008 USA Golden Gloves champion Dorian and nearly knocked out the Californian in the fifth and final round of their 85kg duel.
The 10-time Irish champion suffered a clash of heads in the fourth round and required five stitches to a cut over his right eye.
"If there was another ten seconds in it I would have finished him off as he was out on his feet - the bell saved his ass. He was using his head a lot and I had to be careful in there, said Egan.
"It was great getting my first win under my belt, but the important thing is that the team won. We got off to a hairy start but we turned it around to get the win and that's the important thing."
Miami will meet Memphis Force away on Friday night, but Egan won't be in the side because of the statutory 13-day rest period.
However, he will be available for selection for the visit of Mexico City Guerreros on Thursday, December 9th.
Results:
(Miami Gallos names first)
Bantamweight (50-54Kg):Meza Ochoa lost to Fernando Martinez (points)
Lightweight (57-61Kg):Adrian Martinez Medina lost to Eric Fowler (TKO)
Middleweight (68-73Kg):William Williams beat Charles Watson (points)
Light-heavyweight (80-85Kg):Ken Egan beat Dorian Anthony (points)
Heavyweight (+ 91Kg):Trent Rawlins beat David Imoesiri (points)