Ray Moylette is the new European light-welterweight champion following a magnificent 18-10 win over England’s Thomas Stalker in Ankara, Turkey and Joe Ward has just taken light-heavyweight gold with victory over Russian Nikita Ivanov 20-12!
Moylette ,21-year-old, who boxes out of the St Anne’s BC in Westport (Mayo) shared the first round 5-5 with the busy Liverpudian, a silver medal at the 2010 European Championships and the current Commonwealth champion.
However, Moylette, working comfortably behind his trade mark high guard, fired home some quality body shots and left and right hooks in the second to command a 12-8 advantage at the bell before adding another six points to his advantage.
I’m absolutely thrilled with the win, absolutely thrilled, ” said the 2008 AIBA World Youth champ, who did a handstand in celebration in the ring immediately after his historic victory.
Ward, who at 17 must be one of the youngest champions in the 87-year history of the European Championships, followed that up with a 20 -12 win over Russian light-heavyweight Nikita Ivanov.
Ward who boxes out of the Moate BC in Westmeath, came into his fight with Ivanov as underdog, but scored a 20-12 overall win. The rounds tallied at 7-3, 8-3, 5-6, to give Ward victory. An interesting scoreline with the year ahead.
Joe Ward, third from left, with Pat Hickey at a reception at the Irish Embassy during the 2010 World Youth Olympics in Singapore
IABA’s Dominic O’Rourke spoke with our President – Pat Hickey this afternoon and said “its a fantastic achievement , its just reward for all those who support our sport . I’d particularly like to mention that when the guys were at junior level the support from the Olympic Council of Ireland was invaluable. That was a critical stage of their development and its great to see them develop into the senior High Performance programme “
The OCI would like to congratulate Billy Walsh, Zaur Antia and their high performance team for their excellent leadership”.
Irish European squad & IABA and ISC and OCI officials at Dublin Airport on the team’s arrival in Dublin
