Two Waterford boxers are aiming to end a 21-year-wait for an elite title at the weekend when they take to the ring in Dublin.
Saviours Crystals are sending two members - Sean Purcell and Kelyn Cassidy - to the National Elite championship Finals on Saturday.
Purcell, who has won underage Irish titles and represented Ireland at The World Youth Championships as well as winning the senior title in 2019.
Hession, who represents Monivea in Galway, was also a gold medal winner at the 2019 Eindhoven Boxing Cup.
Purcell will fight in the featherweight final against one of the hottest prodigies in Irish boxing at present - that being Adam Hession.
His coach, Paul Simpson, believes it will be a very tight affair.
"This is a 50/50 fight. Adam Hession - he is the poster boy at the minute for Irish boxing. They're holding in high esteem. There's big big hopes for him in the future of going to the Olympics, World Championships and stuff like that. A lot of people out there in the boxing world at the minute are saying Hession will win it. I don't think he will. It's going to be a very hard fight for both boys."
The contrasting styles of both boxers will make this an incredibly interesting affair.
"They're completely different. Hession is a mid-range fighter. Sean can box at long range. It's going to be a very tactical battle. I think it is going to be whoever holds their nerve - and can just keep the emotions in check. That is very important in a fight like this. There won't be much in this fight. It's a really hard one to judge because the two boys are both so good."
Kelyn Cassidy will face Tommy Hyde in the light heavyweight final - another fight that Simpson believes the talented 24-year-old can come out on top in against his Kildare opponent. Paul Simpson says Saturday night at the National Stadium is simply a huge occasion for the Saviours Crystals Boxing Club. He believes the 21-year-wait has gone on too long.
"For us as a club, this is the first time we've has an elite boxer in a final - and we've actually two, Kelyn and Sean Purcell. For us, after the most recent fights, I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. It was pure joy. If Kelyn wins it - which I believe he will, if Sean wins it, which I believe he will - it will be an absolutely phenomenal achievement. The last time it was achieved was with Martin Murphy and Neil Gough. That was the last time two titles came back to Waterford. I was in the stadium that day. It was fantastic to see as a Waterford man."
Both fights will be live on TG4 on Saturday evening - with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Hession and Purcell meet in a 57kg clash for the fifth fight on the televised card, while Cassidy's clash with Hyde will be the final fight on the night.
