THERE WERE FOUR Irish hoping to emulate the earlier successes of teammates John Joe Nevin and Darren O’Neill during this evening’s session at the World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, lightweight David Oliver Joyce was the first to take to the ring for his bout against India’s Jai Badwan.
After swiftly falling to a 5-point disadvantage against his significantly taller opponent, Joyce launched a spirited comeback that saw him draw level with the Indian mid-way through the final round. Unfortunately, he was issued a penalty for leading with the head seconds before the fight’s conclusion, reducing what would have been a certain victory on countback to a heartbreaking 32-30 loss.
Devastated by the decision, Joyce was left unable to discuss the incident after the fight.
Next up was flyweight Michael Conlon, who lost his first round against France’s Nordine Oubaali before producing the performance of his career to run out the eventual winner, 20-17.
The 19-year-old fared better significantly better than super heavyweight Con Sheehan, who was forced to retire during the second round of his encounter with Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle after twice visiting his corner for treatment of a deep facial cut, and Roy Sheehan, who lost his clash with Lithuania’s Egidijus Kavaliauskas in more orthodox fashion.
Sheehan’s graciousness in defeat was singled out for praise by the Irish Sports Council’s Paul McDermott.
Nevin, O’Neill and Conlon’s quarter-finals will take place tomorrow.
