The controversial defeat suffered by Olympic medal hope Joe Ward in Trabzon on Monday highlighted once again a problem that has been endemic in boxing down the years.

BILLY WALSH will find himself fighting for an Irish title after just a handful of professional bouts when he takes on the experienced James Gorman for the vacant light welterweight title at Neptune Stadium in Cork on January 26.

BOXING returns to the Neptune Stadium for the first time in 21 years on Saturday night (7pm) when the Cork County Board of the IABA stage a charity show in aid of the Leukaemia Ward at the Mercy Hospital.