Moylette takes it on the chin but will be back

Despite losing out to Wexford’s Dean Walsh in the 64kg elite final at the National Stadium in Dublin on Friday night, Ray Moylette is expected to be back again in a bid to salvage his boxing career.

The St. Anne’s boxer lost out on a split decision after the fight of the night at a packed stadium. His coach Martin Brennan said Moylette felt he had done enough to get the verdict but the judges saw it otherwise.

The general consensus is that he was a shade unlucky but Brennan said, while not making excuses, Moylette had a chest infection going into the fight.

“Had he boxed like he had a week earlier in the semi-final against Hickey I have no doubt he would have stopped his opponent but he was, in my view, about 10 to 15 per cent below what he is capable of and didn’t pack the same power in his punches as the previous week,” Martin said.

“Ray will be back. He still has the chance of a box-off and he is a determined lad who has already been invited back for a number of sparring match-ups. If the powers that be look seriously at his potential I feel he deserves another crack at things. He may be down but he is certainly not out and the next six weeks will be crucial for him to stay in good shape.

“He was not as effective as he was the previous week and that chest infection certainly took from his strength. Ray felt he had done enough but with the new rules and points being awarded for various things apart from landing punches, it can be hard to gauge. But he did himself and his club proud.”

The 24-year-old Islandeady native was well in contention going into the third round but Walsh came up with a few crisp shots in the closing stages and Moylette seemed to drop his guard on one or two occasions. He felt he had done enough and the split decision will give him encouragement should he get another chance.