The path to the podium is set for Team Ireland’s 10 boxers at World Boxing Cup: Brazil.
This is the first stage in the 2026 World Boxing Cup series, taking place in Foz do Iguaçu. The series is a benchmark competition run across three tournaments, designed for Elite male and female boxers to accrue ranking points.
Almost 400 boxers from 50 National Federations, are registered to take part from countries including Brazil, China, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Spain, Tajikistan, Türkiye and USA.
The 10 strong Ireland team includes 6 Olympians in Daina Moorehouse, Jenny Lehane, Michaela Walsh, Jude Gallagher, Dean Clancy and Jack Marley, alongside 2025 World bronze medalist Patsy Joyce, multiple European U23 medalist Louis Rooney. Team members are from clubs in Belfast (3), Dublin (3), Leitrim (1), Louth (1), Tyrone (1) Westmeath (1) and Wicklow (1).
All drawsheets are available here
Louis Rooney will open his account at World Boxing Cup Brazil on Wednesday. He starts at Last 16 stage in a 50kg category with 13 boxers, taking on Morocco’s Issam Bensayar for a place in the Quarter Finals
Daina Moorehouse will begin her campaign on Tuesday at Last 32 stage, in a 51kg category with 23 boxers. She meets New Zealand’s Ashley Belk in the Afternoon Session.
Jenny Lehane has a bye to the Last 16 in the 54kg category. She is first in action on Wednesday, against Venezuela’s Diana Mastre.
There are 27 boxers in Men’s 55kg, including Team Ireland’s Patsy Joyce. He benefits from a bye to the Last 16, and opens his account on Thursday, against the winner of the preliminary between Poland and Tajikistan.
Michaela Walsh also gets a bye. There are 17 boxers in Women’s 57kg, and she is through to the Last 16. Michaela first steps between the ropes on Tuesday, renewing rivalry with USA’s Alyssa Mendoza. The two last met at the 77th Strandja tournament in Bulgaria in February. Michaela was the 4-1 winner.
Jude Gallagher will be among the first boxers in action in Brazil. There are 27 boxers in his 60kg category, and his tournament opens on Monday. He makes his debut against Kazakhstan’s Zhanseri Kosherbayev – a 2024 World Youth medalist.
Dean Clancy is in one of the largest categories, by size, in the World Boxing Cup Brazil. There are 30 boxers contesting at Men’s 65kg. Dean begins his tournament on Tuesday at Last 32 stage, against Romania’s Arun Nicu Tuboroiu.
Evelyn Igharo benefits from a bye to the Last 16 of the 70kg category. She is first in action on Wednesday against Paris Olympian and former pro boxer, Mexico’s Citlallo Vanessa Ortiz
70kg Jon McConnell is also in action on Monday. He is among 29 boxers in the weight, and makes his tournament debut against Kazakhstan’s Farukh Tokhtassunov in the Evening Session.
There are 16 boxers in the Brazil heavyweight category, including Jack Marley. He opens his campaign on Monday, against Italy’s Dean Nwokedi Chime.
Day One
There are three Team Ireland boxers between the ropes on the first day of the tournament.
Jude Gallagher makes his debut against Kazakhstan’s Zhanseri Kosherbayev in Bout 8 of Ring B’s Afternoon Session. Jack Marley is first in action against Dean Nwokedi Chime of Italy 3 contests later, in Bout 11. They’re expected in the ring at around 5pm, and 5.45pm, respectively
70kg Jon McConnell is also in action on Monday. He takes on Farukh Tokhtassunov in Bout 4 of Ring B’s Evening Session – at around 9.45pm.
Watch
The host federation, Condederacao Brasileira de Boxe, will live-stream the tournament on its YouTube channel, here. Links, per ring and session, will be published daily in advance of boxing.
All Afternoon Sessions begin at 3pm, Irish time. Evening Sessions get underway at 9pm.
Boxers
50kg Louis Rooney, Star BC, Belfast.
51kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry Boxing Club, Wicklow.
54kg Jenny Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
55kg Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC, Mullingar
57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG Boxing Club, Belfast
60kg Jude Gallagher, Two Castles OBA, Tyrone
65kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott Boxing Club, Leitrim
70kg Evelyn Igharo, Clann Naofa Boxing Club, Louth
70kg Jon McConnell, Holy Trinity Boxing Club, Belfast
90kg Jack Marley, Monkstown Boxing Club, Dublin
Support Staff
Team Lead/ Head Coach: Damian Kennedy
Coaches: Lynne McEnery, James Doyle, Jay Delaney
Physio: Rob Tuomey
PA: Alan Swanton
About World Boxing Cup, Brazil
- Ranking points available: Gold Medal, 150 points. Silver medal 100 points. Bronze medal 75 points.
- Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, is four hours ahead of Ireland.
- Boxing takes place April 20th to 26th. All finals will be boxed on April 26th. There is no rest day in this competition.
- All Afternoon Sessions begin at 3pm, Irish time. Evening Sessions get underway at 9pm.
- Condederacao Brasileira de Boxe will live-stream the tournament on its YouTube channel HERE
About the World Boxing Cup series
World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2026 is the first stage in the 2026 World Boxing Cup series. It is a high-level Olympic-style amateur boxing competition run across three tournaments, designed for elite male and female boxers to accrue ranking points.
World Box Cup: China will take place in Guiyang City, China from 15–20 June. The series will culminate in the World Boxing Cup Finals, which will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 25 November- 2 December 2026