Cork Thai Boxing

 

 

DENIS O’Brien, a member of Brucie’s Gym, Bandon, will represent Ireland against England in an international night of Thai boxing at the Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Cork on Saturday, May 2.

Five years ago, said his coach and uncle Andrew O’Brien, he brought Denis along to a Thai boxing session at the Cork club run by Anthony Corkery (then based in Douglas Street), loved it and was hooked. As soon as he was able to drive, he was training four to five nights a week, travelling from Bandon to the city and back.

After about 12 months, he had his first fight and two years later made his professional debut. Denis then decided to save up and last June headed to Thailand to fully train as a professional Thai boxer. He went to the famous Sasiprapa Gym in Bangkok where he ate, slept and trained for six month and competed once a month.

The Bandon man fought in the two main stadia in Bangkok (Lumpina and Raja), which were screened live on TV, and also fought in a televised bout in Hong Kong. His last fight was on the King of Thailand’s birthday in December.

Super fit Denis returned to Bandon in time for the opening of Andrew ‘Brucie’ O’Brien’s Brucie’s Gym, located above De Barra’s Bar, North Main Street, and the home of Bandon Thai Boxing Club where he trains and helps to train several of the 25 members. He also works out at the Cork Thai Boxing Club, now based in MacCurtain Street.

Aged 21, Denis, a former Irish champion, is the son of Tony and Martina O’Brien, Glaslyn, Parnell Street, Bandon.

Denis will be competing in the 69kg weight division at the Ireland v England international in Silver Springs Moran Hotel on May 2 in a top-class line-up of around 12 bouts starting at 7.30pm presented by Cork Muay Thai.

Tickets are available by phoning Andrew at 087-9115089 or the Fully Fit Gym, Cork at 086-8946053. Information also available by e mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .