Wary Ward not taking Joyce for granted

JOE WARD may have a pocketful of gold medals — world junior, world youths, European senior and a national senior gold — but tonight he climbs into the ring with fellow Westmeath man Davy Joe Joyce to decide his Olympic future.

A year ago, then just 17, the Moate boxer stripped Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan of his light heavyweight title at the Elite boxing championships, depriving him of a sensational 11th successive national senior title.

Ward later won the European senior title but failed to qualify for the Olympic Games at the world championships in Baku. But that is what will be on his mind in tonight’s semi-final at the Elite championships at the National Stadium.