Russians routed as Joyce cousins star in boxing openers

DAVID OLIVER JOYCE got the multi-nations boxing tournament off to the perfect start at the Tintean Centre in Ballybunion last night when he fought his way back to snatch victory from Magomed Abdkhamido of Russia on count-back after a thrilling bantamweight opener.

The young Athy man was having his first contest since his surprise defeat at the European junior championships in Tallinn last July when he took on a high class opponent last night.

It was felt that Abdkhamido might be more than a handful for the reigning national senior champion at this point in the season and it looked as if Joyce, a member of Ireland’s elite squad already preparing for the Beijing Olympics, might be a bit ring rusty.