EUROPEAN AMATEUR BOXING champions Joe Ward and Ray Moylette could still represent Ireland at next month’s World Championships after the IABA left the door open for their inclusion in the squad.
This morning’s announcement comes as the controversial Open Elite Competition enters its third day at the National Stadium.
Last week, the IABA indicated that the four-day tournament would effectively function as a “box-off” with the winners travelling to Azerbaijan for the Worlds, one of only two qualifying events ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London.
However, controversy erupted when it became clear that six of the country’s most talented prospects would not be competing due to injury, ruling them out of the tournament in Baku and also placing their Olympic prospects in jeopardy.
Ward, Moylette, Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes, John Joe Nevin, Willie McLoughlin and Darren O’Neill are all absent from this week’s tournament.
After days of confusion, the IABA softened its stance this morning, saying that the Boxing Council would assess “other relevant performances and factors” as well as the results of the Open Elite Competition before selecting the squad.
“The Association recognises the genuine concerns of boxers, their supporters and families, and the wider community of boxing and sports fans regarding team selection.
The Association has stated however that it is a long-standing part of team selection for major championships to use box-off tournaments to assist in this process to ensure the strongest possible team is sent, and it is in this context that this week’s Open Elite Competition is being held.
“In individual weight divisions, Irish amateur boxing boasts a number of boxers more than capable of representing Ireland at World level. The box-off ensures that European Champions, national champions and international medallists can be assessed prior to team selection, and that it is fair that all are afforded this opportunity.
“At a meeting on 5 August, the Officer Board of the Boxing Council of the IABA recommended that the Open Elite Competition be used to assist in the selection of the team for the World Championships.
“Formal team ratification will ultimately take place on 20 August, and the Boxing Council will select the team following the outcome of the Open Elite Competition, and assessing other relevant performances and factors.
The IABA is confident that the strongest possible squad will ultimately represent Ireland in the World Championships, the Olympic Qualifying tournament, and the Olympic Games, and that the outstanding record of our boxers on the world stage will be further built upon throughout these tournaments.
The Open Elite Competition continues this afternoon, with Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan’s heavyweight semi-final against Tommy McCarthy the main attraction on day three.
