LISBURN ACE KURT Walker can book his place in the flyweight final of the AIBA World Youth Championships later this afternoon.

The last man standing from Ireland’s seven-strong team in Armenia, Walker guaranteed a bronze medal at minimum with a comfortable win against Ian Bautista on Tuesday.

The Canal BC boxer returns to the ring shortly after 2pm Irish time to face England’s Oliver Simpson, who beat Cengiz Onat of Turkey in the 52kg quarter-finals.

“Kurt has flourished over the last two years and this is a fantastic boost for the club,” Canal club secretary Jim Russell said.

“It’s unbelievable and we’re thrilled with the win. Hopefully, he can now go on and win the gold medal.”

A win would ensure that Walker returns from Yerevan with no less than silver and set up a winner-take-all showdown for gold against Jeyvier Cintron or Jorge Cordero tomorrow.

Cintron, 17, came into the championships on the back of a strong performance at the London Olympics where he came within one win of a medal for Puerto Rico.

Seventy-one countries took part in this year’s World Championships. Five of Ireland’s team of seven, managed by Stephen Connolly, made it through to the last 16 of their respective divisions.

Walker’s semi-final will be broadcast live on YouTube this afternoon. The evening session starts at 2pm Irish time.