Irish make last-ditch Olympics plea for Ward

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) yesterday formally requested the president of the world governing AIBA for his assistance in their bid to have Joe Ward considered for inclusion in the London Olympics.

In a formal letter to Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, the chairman of the IABA, Dr John Lynch said they were surprised with the decision given against Ward on Monday.

The Moate teenager, ranked third in the world and reigning European light heavyweight champion, dropped a controversial 18-15 hometown decision to Bahram Muzaffer that cost him his place in this summer’s Olympics.