The best way to put into perspective the courage and skill behind James Moore's bold, if unavailing attempt, to turn bronze into silver in yesterday's World Championships semi-finals at Belfast's Odyssey Arena is to describe a scene along the lengthy corridor between the Irish and American dressing-rooms after an exhilarating contest.
The American team leader, Johnny Woluewich, still trying to cope with injuries received in a horrific car crash, scrambled as fast as his legs would allow to commiserate with the Irishman, a 24-36 loser to multi-American national welter champion Anthony Thompson.
Almost breathless, Woluewich kept repeating on his way "the kid is full of heart, I never saw anything like him." On eventually reaching a disconsolate Moore the American boss told him: "You are welcome kid anytime to come over to us in the States.
"I boxed amateur and had 16 pro fights but in all that time I never saw a boxer to show such spirit in the ring."
Thompson, a 20-year old Philadelphian, reached the semi-finals by boxing one contest fewer than Moore. The Arklow man put in huge concentrated work all week before stepping up for a fifth fight in six days yesterday. Moore was also given credit for overcoming the worst draw of the Irish boxers in the largest entry of all classes, 39.
Thompson went into an early lead: "My plan was not to allow him inside my left hook". The American's left was lethal.
It was 11-4 for Thompson by the end of the first round and 18-10 at the end of the second. During that second round Moore was toppled with a left hand high on the forehead and took a standing count of eight. "I thought at that moment I musn't let it get away from me," said Moore. "I know I can do it. I have the heart to come back. It's only a knockdown, one point."
Moore contributed a lion's share to the heat and passion of a rollicking contest but was caught with a left hook again just on the bell at the end of the third round. The score at that stage was 30-19 for the American.
Moore never stepped back and caught the tiring American with a right to the body to force the US champion to take a standing count of eight close to the final bell.
"He's full of heart," said Thompson afterwards. "I am just excited and happy at the moment to be meeting a Cuban in the final."
Moore reflected: "He was better on the day, I have no complaints. I was never going to give up. It is an honour for me to be on the team never mind being captain. The plan is for us to stay together right up to the Athens Olympics. We have a great squad and are getting the full backing of the IABA."
Moore was Ireland's last contender in the championships. Only Russia, Ukraine and Cuba managed to top Ireland's achievement of claiming six places in the quarter-finals. More than 400 boxers from a record 66 nations had entered.
Another indication of Ireland's burgeoning strength was given during the first half of yesterday's semi-finals when Romanian, Turkish and Cuban fighters who had advanced after beating Damien McKenna, John Paul Kinsella and Ken Egan, went through to today's finals.
