Perfect Paige eyes Irish call

Perfect Paige eyes Irish call

1 October 2025

DROMARA boxer Paige Nickels is targeting European Championship glory after claiming her eighth national title.

The 15 year-old has set her sights on being selected to represent Ireland on the continental stage following her victory in the U-17 National Boxing Championship final in Dublin.

Fighting in the 54kg weight class, having already secured the UK title in December and the Irish title in May, Paige booked her place in another decider with a 4-1 success over Milena Lucaci in the semi-finals.

Dealgon Boxing Club’s Daisy Kiernan, under the guidance of Irish Boxing President Anto Donnelly, stood in the way of further glory, and tensions were noticeably high.

The early exchanges were reminiscent of a game of chess. Paige settled into her usual high-pressure attacks, but she was met by an equally physical opponent.

Thirty seconds into the bout, coach Jason McKay gave the nod for a switch of game plan, advising Paige to fight on the counter, and she quickly adapted, using her sharp reflexes to great effect. 

Kiernan readdressed her own tactics in the second round, dishing out left hooks and back-hands with increased intensity and levelling matters on the scorecard. 

With it all coming down to the third and final round, McKay switched up his commands, making the calls that enabled Piage to set traps on the ropes and land the heavy counter blows that undoubtedly caught the eye of the judges.

The bell not only signalled the end of a battle that provided a phenomenal advertisement for female, youth and Irish boxing, but also another remarkable feat for the Dromara native — an eighth national title from 11 finals.

It is just the latest step in the career of a talented teenager who eats, breathes and sleeps boxing, and she is not alone in her many celebrations. 

Paige, who fights out of Banbridge Boxing Club, not only has the experienced head of McKay in her corner, she also has the backing of her coach and dad, Daniel.

The opportunity to support his daughter in some of her biggest moments is something that brings immense pride to Daniel, but he apportions the praise to McKay on the coaching front.

“Jason takes no credit for the success of both Paige and the club, even though he is the driving force behind it,” Daniel said.

“We have won 24 Irish titles in the club in the past five years, which is phenomenal, and it is all down to Jason.

“Him and the club have done so much to help Paige, in every aspect, whether that is training, encouragement or funding.”

It goes without saying how much of a role coaches play in moulding and developing young, aspiring fighters. Aside from that, it takes tremendous effort, dedication and sacrifice from the boxers themselves — traits Daniel believes his daughter has in spades.

“Paige trains for about 20 hours a week, including strength and conditioning, physio and running 5K most days. She pretty much sacrifices everything and often has to miss days out with friends, maintain a strict diet and be weighed every day,” he said.

“You have to be 100% dedicated in this sport and there is no denying Paige’s dedication, work ethic and sacrifice.

“She’s fighting the best of the best now and coming out on top. The fights are getting tougher, tighter and more testing, but she’s the one getting her hand raised at the end of it.”

With multiple an array of titles under her belt, namely becoming the first female from Northern Ireland to hold the UK title, Paige is constantly striving for that next level, and Daniel has highlighted some of the routes she could pursue. 

“Paige’s ambition is to represent Ireland, mainly at the Commonwealth Games in 2030. She may look to target the Olympics, or she may decide to turn pro, but fighting for the national team is the goal,” he added.

“She is now up for national team selection for the European Championships in Germany in December.

Paige will now attend high performance squad training in Dublin for the next few months, as she aims to turn her ambition of European glory into a reality.