Boxing will always have dodgy verdicts

The controversial defeat suffered by Olympic medal hope Joe Ward in Trabzon on Monday highlighted once again a problem that has been endemic in boxing down the years.

Some will call it downright corruption while those of us with a love for the gentile art would refer to it as an innate failing in a human system — although the amazing run of success enjoyed by the Turkish boxers on their home turf this week would support the former.

At the world championships in Baku last year the Turks failed to qualify a boxer for London 2012. Heading into the semi-finals here they have two qualified and six more in contention with just two defeats.