AFTER a long build-up, the action is under way at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil.

This is the first stage of this year’s World Cup series, with two more to follow and ranking points on offer as almost 400 boxers from 50 national federations are registered to take part.

There are three Irish boxers competing on the first day of the tournament. Jude Gallagher faces Kazakhstan’s 2024 World Youth medallist, Zhanseri Kosherbayev, at approximately 4.45pm.

Fellow Paris Olympian Jack Marley won’t be far behind, taking on Italy’s Dean Nwokedi Chime three fights later. The Dublin heavyweight is expected in the ring at around 5.30pm.

Holy Trinity’s Jon McConnell is last out on Monday with his 70kg clash against Kazakhstan’s Farukh Tokhtassunov getting under way at around 9.45pm.

Another couple of Paris Olympians, Daina Moorehouse and Dean Clancy, get their campaign up and running on Tuesday, with Bray flyweight Moorehouse up against New Zealand’s Ashley Belk in the last 32.

Sligo stylist Clancy is in a stacked 65kg division, with Romania’s Arun Nicu Tuboroiu up first in the last 32.

There are three Irish boxers between the ropes on Wednesday, with Star light-fly Louis Rooney facing Morocco’s Issam Bensayar for a place in the quarter-finals. Jenny Lehane, who received a bye to the last 16 at 54kg, takes on Venezuela’s Diana Mastre.

Evelyn Igharo will be the first of the trio to fight on Wednesday, and the Dundalk woman faces a tough task against Mexican Paris Olympian and former pro boxer, Citlallo Vanessa Ortiz.

World Championship bronze medallist Patsy Joyce benefits from a bye to the last 16 before making his Foz do Iguaçu bow on Thursday, the Mullingar man up against the winner of the preliminary round clash between Poland’s Nikolas Pawlik and Tajikistan’s Meroj Sufijonov.

And Belfast’s experienced Michaela Walsh hopes to continue her impressive form so far this year when she renews her rivalry with USA’s Alyssa Mendoza in a 57kg last 16 showdown on Thursday.

The pair last met at the Strandja tournament in Bulgaria in February, with Walsh the 4-1 winner en route to claiming a silver medal.

And, although he retired from the sport last year, Walsh’s brother Aidan will be involved with Boxing Ireland in future after being confirmed as the high performance unit’s athlete support lead.

The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist holds an MSc in athlete wellbeing and performance sport psychology, and is working towards pursuing a PhD exploring emotions within elite boxing gyms.

In his new role, Walsh will support Ireland’s high performance boxers across all stages of their journey, “with a particular focus on athlete wellbeing, mentoring, and enhancing the overall performance environment”.

“I’m incredibly proud to take on this role with Boxing Ireland,” he said.

“Having come through the system myself, I have an acute understanding of the pressures athletes face. Through my academic studies I’ve developed a real passion for supporting athlete wellbeing and performance.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to an environment where boxers feel supported, valued, and empowered to perform at their best.”

Boxing Ireland performance director Jon Mackey added: “Aidan brings a rare blend of Olympic-level experience and academic insight into athlete wellbeing and performance.

“His understanding of the athlete journey, combined with his ongoing research into the athlete-coach relationship, will be invaluable in strengthening our high performance programme and enhancing our existing athlete support provision.”