Team Ireland got their World Boxing Cup China campaign underway in Guiyang City today and Daina Moorehouse is through to the Last 16.
She took on Korea’s Chorong Bak this morning, and was the 5-0 winner. Judges scored the bout: 30:27; 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 30:27. Daina is back in action on Thursday, taking on home boxer and Paris Olympic champion, Wu Yu.
Speaking after her win, Daina said “I feel great. I’m happy to get the first one out of the way. I think it was a really good performance. We’ve been training flat out China the past two weeks and all the sparring – I think it’s paying off in my performances and I’m looking forward to the next one.” She adds “I was trying my best to listen to Dee (Damian Kennedy). I think just sticking to my boxing was working. Plenty of teasing, when she stepping in, meeting her with shots. In the third round it was kind of side-steps. Simple boxing. That’s all I needed today – simple boxing”
Not to be for Adam Hession at World Boxing Cup. He took on Mongolia’s Lundaa Gantumur in a 60kg Last 32 contest this morning. It ended 5-0 in favour of his opponent. Judges scored the bout 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30. Gantumur is a 2025 World Boxing Cup silver medalist.
Heavyweight Jack Marley has exited World Boxing Cup China on the narrowest of margins. The Paris Olympian took on fellow Olympian, Xuezhen Han of China in a Last 16 contest. The bout was scored 29: 28; 28:29; 30:27; 27:30: 29: 28.
A valiant performance by Team Ireland’s Cliona D’Arcy in her World Boxing Cup China quarter final. The 2022 World Youth champion contested against Kazakhstan’s Dina Islambekova, and bows-out following an RSC2 decision in favour of her opponent.
The tournament Opening Ceremony took place today.
Team Ireland was represented by Shannon Sweeney (St. Anne’s BC, Westport). Shannon travelled as part of Team Ireland to China to avail of the developmental opportunities during the pre-competition camp

Taking place in Guiyang City from June 15th to 20th, this is the second stage in the 2026 World Boxing Cup series. The series is a benchmark competition run across three tournaments, designed for Elite male and female boxers to accrue ranking points. Champions are awarded 150 points, silver medalists 100 and there are 75 ranking points for bronze medalists.
The complete tournament draw is available here
Day Two
Paris Olympian Dean Clancy makes his WBC China debut at 65kg Last 32 stage. He takes on Kong Ching Lee of Hong Kong in Bout 3 of Ring A’s Morning Session. That is at approximately 4:30am.
75kg Tadhg O’Donnell is in Last 16 action at around 5am on Tuesday morning. He takes on Timur Nurseitov of Kazakhstan in Bout 5 of Ring B’s Morning Session. Tadhg should be in the ring at around 5am
Team Ireland Olympian, Jenny Lehane, is expected in the ring at approximately 10:45am to take on Italy’s Sirine Charrabi in a 54kg Last 16 contest in Bout 8 of Ring B’s Afternoon Session.
Last up for Team Ireland on Tuesday is 70kg Evelyn Igharo. She contests her Last 16 contest against USA’s Isabella Winkloer in Bout 2 of Ring B’s Evening Session – that’s at 2:15pm, Irish time
All schedules are available here
Watch
World Boxing Cup China is being live-streamed by World Boxing on it’s YouTube channel.
Watch Ring A, here
Watch Ring B, here
Team Ireland
51kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Wicklow
54kg Jenny Lehane, DCU BC, Dublin
60kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway
65kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim
70kg Evelyn Igharo, Clann Naofa BC, Louth
75kg Tadhg O’Donnell, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80kg Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy, Tobar Pheadair BC, Galway
90kg Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin
Support Staff
Team Manager: High Performance Director, Jon Mackey
Head Coach: Damian Kennedy
Coach: James Doyle
Coach: Lynne McEnery
Coach: Liam Cunningham, Saints BC, Belfast
Coach: Ross Hickey, Grangecon BC, Wicklow
Physio: Rob Tuomey
Performance Analyst: Alan Swanton.
