IRISH boxing officials were yesterday mulling over the shock defeat of Darren Sutherland at the World Championships in Chicago, where their favourite for Olympic qualification went out to Alfonso Blanco (Venezuela) at the wrong end of a shock 20-13 decision.

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) are hoping to celebrate their centenary year by staging the 2011 World Senior Championships in Dublin.

A DAY of contrasting fortunes for Irish competitors at the World Boxing Championships in Mianyang, China, yesterday.

KENNETH EGAN has joined Paul McCloskey in the semi-finals of their respective Olympic qualifying tournaments, just two fights away from qualification for Athens.