Beijing-bound Joyce rejoices after power-packed showing

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.

It was a performance of sheer brilliance by the 20 year-old Mullingar man, who won the first round 8-1 and the second and third by margins of 7-4 to leave himself with a 13-point cushion going into the last.

He may have been economical with his trademark right hook all week but yesterday he despatched it with precision as he teed his opponent up with the left jab and pounded him with double right hooks to the head and body.