IABA plump for Moore over champ

THE Central Council of the IABA have decided to ignore the old sporting adage: “To the victor go the spoils”, and have chosen James Moore, the Arklow welterweight, instead of National Champion Henry Coyle of Mayo, to compete at the last qualifying series of bouts for the Athens Olympics.

The Council, at its special meeting, debated the issue at length after there was a case put for Moore who won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Belfast two years ago but who was beaten by Coyle of Geesala in this year’s National Senior Championship final.

It is normal for the champion to be given the chance to qualify for the Olympics but the fact is that Coyle has had two chances at separate venues since winning the National Senior title a couple of months ago.