Ward’s dreams are shattered

Joe Ward’s defeat at the Olympic qualifying tournament stunned everyone but the local fans who arrived to cheer their hometown hero Bahram Muzaffer after the Turk had managed to extract an 18-15 victory from the judges.

The decision left Irish coach, Billy Walsh, fuming and, along with team manager, Des Donnelly, he immediately got in touch with the president of the IABA, Tommy Murphy, and they lodged a protest that was unsuccessful, believing the Moate boxer had clearly won the fight.

“This was something we felt might happen, coming out here,” Walsh said.