DEFENDING LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT champion Joe Ward has been forced to pull out of the European Championships with an injury.
The Westmeath boxer, who controversially missed out on London 2012, went into the competition ranked number 1 seed and took on Poland’s Mateusz Tryc at the Palace of Sport in in Minsk, Belarus, this afternoon.
Ward was ahead against his opponent when, with 20 seconds remaining in the third round, he slipped and twisted his knee meaning Tryc goes through on a TKO injury.
Overall, it was a bad day for the Irish – Ray Moylette, fighting in the light-welghterweight division, was beaten by Husseyin Karslioglu while Con Sheehan also lost out.
Michael Conlan had some joy however, as he booked a place in the next round with a unanimous decision victory over Narek Abgarya of Armenia.
Ward and Tryc. Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Ward falls. Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan The scores for Ward’s fight. Credit:
Conlan’s arm is raised. Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan