NEWTOWNARDS teenager Zac Foster is amongst Ireland’s top young boxers travelling to the United States to compete against two American select teams.
Representing the Bridges Beyond Boxing Ireland (BBBI) programme, Enler ABC talent Zac will make the trip to Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky in September, taking on a 10-day training camp and an open-air fight in each city.
The 15 year-old from Newtownards is one of the Comber club’s most exciting prospects, having already claimed multiple Ulster and Armagh/Down Championship titles.
His performances on the provincial and county level have certainly turned heads, raising his profile within the sport, but it was at club level where he caught the right person’s eye.
Fighting on the same card as his dad, Allan, at Enler’s maiden fight night last month, Zac impressed with his showing against Banbridge’s Issac Ireland, and it was that fight that led to his place on the BBBI team.
Zac went toe-to-toe with his opponent, engaging in a relentless tussle, and landed the shots that resulted in a victory by way of unanimous decision.
It was a solid display from the young star, and not too much was thought of it other than another win on his record, but that all changed a week later, when Enler head coach Jonny Hunter received an unexpected phone call.
On the other end of the line, was one of the referees/judges from the fight night, who informed Hunter that Zac was being drafted into the BBBI squad, based on the ability he had shown in Scrabo Golf Club.
He may not have expected the selection to come off the back of a club show, but Hunter knows just how much talent and desire his prospect possesses.
“Zac has been boxing for around four years, previously with Ards, and joined us back in August last year. Since then, we have seen the progression he’s made, boxing at a national level, and I believe he is on par with the best boxers at that level,” he stated.
“His opponent at the club show won the All-Ireland title two weeks earlier, and Zac went on to beat him on the night.
“One of the guys who was refereeing and judging the event said ‘you don’t beat an All-Ireland champion if you’re not at that level yourself.’ It turned out that he’s the guy who runs the BBBI programme and approached me to bring Zac on board there.”
The Movilla High School pupil’s progress over the last year has led to this moment, as he becomes Enler’s first boxer to embark on an international trip – something Hunter believes will benefit both the fighter and the club as a whole.
“It’s massive for Zac and the improvements he’s made. It will be great for his development, and to go away with some of the best in Ireland, competing against some of the best in the US, it can only help him develop and learn,” Hunter explained.
“We’re hopeful that he will win his fights, but it’s mainly about his development and the experience it will bring. If he wins, that’s a bonus, and if he doesn’t, he’ll be no further behind.
He added: “This achievement is a credit to Zac, but it speaks highly of our coaches, and it will be huge for our club.
“It will bring new kids to the club, with them seeing there’s opportunities in boxing, and will give our existing kids something to drive towards.”
Zac will now have to wait over three months for his journey stateside, but he has no shortage of events to keep him focussed between now and then.
Alongside clubmate Bobby Boardman, another highly rated boxing youth, the Ards brawler will fight in the Manchester Box Cup on June 20-21, before taking on a pair of competitions in Dublin, the Monkstown Box Cup and the Irish Cadets All-Ireland.
