Ward vs. Joyce For Irish Amateur Title Saturday In Dublin
By Boxing Press January 25th, 2012 All Press ReleasesCurrent European and Irish Elite light-heavyweight champion Joe Ward will open his Irish title defence with a semi-final clash against Davey Joe Joyce at the Irish Daily Star sponsored National Elite Championships at the National Stadium on Friday.
The three-rounder is a repeat of the 2011 semi-final which Ward won 8-2 en route to claiming his first Elite belt.
The winner of the Ward versus Joyce bout will advance to face either Ken Egan or Eamon Walsh - who meet on Saturday in the corresponding semi-final - in the 2012 Elite light-heavyweight final.
Ward is one of two Moate BC (Co. Westmeath) boxers between the ropes on Friday as Ken Okungbowa meets Con Sheehan.
London 2012 Olympians Michael Conlan and John Joe Nevin will both in action for the first time at the 2012 Championships in Friday's semi-finals.
Conlan faces Shane Roche and Nevin is in against Sean McComb.
The St Michael's Athy BC, meantime, are guaranteed to have two boxers in the 60Kg and 69Kg finals.
Eric Donovan meets team-mate David Oliver Joyce in the lightweight semi-final and Beijing Olympian John Joe Joyce is in against Roy Sheahan in a second all St Michael's Athy last-four duel at welterweight
Boxing begins at 7pm on Friday and Saturday.
