Irish boxing wants to put the “bronze age” behind it at the AIBA World Men’s Elite Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

European light heavyweight champion Joe Ward and Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes will both be seeded in tomorrow’s draw for the European Olympic qualifying tournament in Trabzon, Turkey, but it’s likely the other five members of the Irish team will go into the open draw.

Coach Billy Walsh last night admitted he could “not be happier” as the seven-man Irish boxing team touched down in Trabzon, Turkey yesterday ahead of the European Olympic qualifier which begins on Saturday.