Boston’s boxing community is gearing up to welcome young boxers from Northern Ireland for a Boston v Belfast show.
Established in 2016, Bridges Beyond Boxing Ireland is a cross-community boxing exchange program that encourages the integration of youths from Unionist and Nationalist areas of Northern Ireland as well as other parts of Ireland.
With the help of boxing coaches Joe Lowe, Alan Martin, and Ciarán Quinn, these young people fight in America, crossing more borders and boundaries than ever before.
Organizer and Co Donegal native Mark Porter helped facilitate the cultural exchange with the Boston division, set up by Stephen Power.
Mark told IrishStar.com: “It reminds these kids that there’s not much difference between them. And when they’re here, they are a united team against America.”
The exchange works both ways. Last April Mark, Stephen and various Boston coaches took a team of boxers to fight in North Belfast and the British Legion Post of Ballymoney. Visiting both sides of Northern Ireland’s historic cultural divide is much less significant than it would have been in the past – a fact that is not lost on the coaches.
“That would have been a big thing 10 years ago. It’s not as big now with the cross-community work,” Mark explained. “But it’s still nice. It’s good for these kids to come out here to Boston, and work together with each other, with kids from the other side of the fence.”
On May 23, the young fighters will take to the ring in Boston’s City Hall Plaza, matched with kids from all over the state of Massachusetts. Kids from all different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds come together over a shared love of the sport.
“It’s a great experience. Catholic kids, Protestant kids, American kids. They’re all getting to experience differences inside and outside of the ring,” Mark said. “Each time they come to the US, they bring a different team, so every kid gets a chance.”
The boxing show is free of charge to attend. All funds from the sponsorships for the event are funneled into the program, investing in many more trips across the Atlantic for both sides. After they visit Boston, the Irish team will travel to Buffalo, New York, on May 31.
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