Joyce beaten in Beijing

Irish bantamweight fighter Johnny Joyce failed to progress to the next round of the Olympics following a loss against Felix Diaz of the Dominican Republic.

In the opening round Diaz opened a 3-0 lead as he sought to test the Irish youngster to the utmost extent of his ability. Joyce responded to score with a good right hook but then received a warning that left him two points further adrift at the end of the round by 5-1.

Joyce scored early in the second round and followed up with another point soon after to lessen the gap between the pair. They then traded points and by the end of the round the Dominican Republic puncher was ahead by three points.

The Irish man flew into action in the early stages of round three and levelled the scores within a minute of the period. They both grabbed points before the end of the round before Joyce gained a one-point lead just before the bell.

Diaz responded at the start of the final round by getting close to Joyce but it worked to his detriment as he (Joyce) moved into a 10-8 lead.

The Dominican Republic native levelled at 10-10 with a minute remaining, but Joyce landed another point and held on before Diaz drew back again to leave it 11-11 at the end.

The count back resulted in a win for Diaz to the disappointment of the Irish crowd present at the boxing arena.