JOHN JOE JOYCE claimed his place in the Beijing Olympic Games in spectacular fashion when he outclassed and outpointed Harun Sipahi (Germany) a veteran of the Athens Olympics, 27-12, in an action-packed light welterweight semi-final at the qualifying tournament in Athens yesterday.

THREE Irish boxers bid to secure Olympic qualification in Athens later today.

DARREN SUTHERLAND, Kenneth Egan and John Joe Joyce are just one fight away from Olympic qualification after an exciting day for the Irish team at the qualifying tournament in Athens.