Offaly's Brian Kennedy exits world boxing championships

Daingean's Brian Kennedy, in his debut appearance at the world boxing championships, was defeated by Ukraine's Danylo Zhasan in Liverpool tonight.

The Defence Forces member received support from a sizeable Irish contingent at M&S Bank Arena, and battled gamely throughout, but was always chasing the contest against his more experienced opponent.

Kennedy had received a bye into the last 16 stage of the 85kg division and he started brightly, using his jab to good effect.

Zhashan finished the first round well, however, and took full control in the second round, forcing a standing count which was followed by a slightly harsh point deduction for the Irish fighter after the referee adjudged that he was persistently lowering his head.

The Ukrainian boxer earned his 5-0 unanimous decision victory but this experience will no doubt prove valuable to Kennedy given that it was his first time competing on the world championships stage.

Offaly's hopes at the tournament now rest with Tullamore's Gráinne Walsh, who comes up against last year's Olympic silver medallist, Yang Liu of China, at the quarter final stage tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.