Ward seals at least bronze in Armenia

IRISH skipper Joe Ward is assured at least a bronze medal at the World Junior Boxing Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.

The light middleweight celebrated a convincing 5-2 victory against Russia’s Rustam Musaadzhev after the referee stopped the bout in the second round.

But while Ward, from the Moate club in Westmeath, was celebrating there was disappointment for Chris Mullally and Michael Reilly after they lost their 63Kg and 66Kg quarter-finals.

Mullally was beaten 6-1 by Magomed Abdulamagomedov of Russia and Reilly lost out 8-3 to highly-rated Israeli puncher Dan Ahorono.

Ward, who is the last Irish boxer out of a squad of six left in the tournament, will now meet Ravshanjan Abdunazarov of Uzbekistan in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

He said: “I came out here to win gold and that has always been my target. It is going to be tough but my confidence is very high and I want to go all the way.”

Meanwhile, Irish head coach Billy Walsh is expected to confirm his squad for next month’s European Union Championships by the end of this week following Carl Frampton’s decision to turn pro.

Frampton had been named in the original squad for the EUs in Odense, Denmark, but the 57Kg Irish vest is now up for grabs on the Irish panel.

Belfast born Frampton – who claimed an Irish senior featherweight title last February – threw in the towel on his amateur career yesterday and has signed pro with Barry McGuigan’s stable.

Speaking at the Europa Hotel in Belfast yesterday, McGuigan said he believes his new man has got what it takes: “Provided Carl is handled right and it’ll be my job to bring him along, he is a name to watch in the future and I believe he has the potential to become a super bantamweight or super featherweight world champion.

“One thing is already evident about the skills of this 5ft 4in power house – he can punch with frightening authority,” McGuigan added.