Steven Donnelly just one fight from an Olympic medal

Steven Donnelly boxed the Irish team out of a looming crisis yesterday with a masterful display that leaves him one fight from an Olympic medal.

Just 18 hours after Joe Ward’s defeat left Ireland with half a team gone from the tournament, welterweight Donnelly put a smile back with a points win that must rank among the best bouts of his career.

It came down to a split decision over Mongolian Tuvshinbat Byamba but the Brazilian judge gave all three rounds to Donnelly and that was most people’s view. He moved well, kept Byamba at a distance with his left jab, and landed several heavy blows.