Joe Ward signs on through to Tokyo 2020 in huge boost to Irish Olympic boxing

Ireland's Olympic boxing programme has received an enormous boost with the confirmation that Joe Ward has spurned a number of offers to go pro and signed on through to Tokyo in 2020, writes Brendan O'Brien.

The Westmeath light-heavyweight has been a constant target for the professional game's movers and shakers and he admitted there had been more offers on the table only last month after winning his third European title in Ukraine.