IRELAND’S light-heavyweight Joe Ward defeated Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak on the fourth day of the World championships in Doha. Ward, a highly successful international despite his young age (he’s still only 22), won 29-28 for all three judges.
Albert Selimov, once Russian who now boxes for Azerbaijan, took a split decision against Irish lightweight Sean McComb.
British super-heavyweight Joe Joyce overcame Morocco’s Mohammed Arjaoui by unanimous decision. GB 52kgs Muhammad Ali took a highly impressive victory over experience Italian Vincenzo Picardo, winning a split decision. Welsh lightweight Joe Cordina took a wide unanimous win over North Korea’s Choi Guk Kwon. British 69kgs Josh Kelly also took a clear unanimous victory over New Zealand’s Joshua Nyika.
GB light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi had the misfortune of being drawn against brilliant Cuban Julio La Cruz at an early stage of the tournament. Gloriously Buatsi put La Cruz down but ultimately lost a unanimous decision.
