BILLY WALSH admitted yesterday that he was irked by the suggestion from Belfast opponent James Gorman that he only had temporary custody of the All-Ireland welterweight championship belt.

IRELAND’S amateur boxers got off to a flying start in the multi-nations tournament in Zagreb — the Zlatio Hebid 2007 — yesterday with David Oliver Joyce particularly impressive in his fourth round stoppage of Amtomin Lazoc (Czech Republic) in a hard-hitting featherweight contest.

DARREN SUTHERLAND insisted yesterday he is well on the road to a complete recovery following a career-threatening eye injury sustained during an international contest against Russia at the National Stadium earlier this year.

DAVID BARRETT (Rylane) bids to emulate older brother Seanie by winning the light welterweight title at the Irish intermediate boxing championship finals at the National Stadium tonight.

THE finals of the national under-21 boxing championships provide some interesting pairings at the National Stadium tonight when some beaten finalists from the seniors will be involved.