BOXING: EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:DES DONNELLY, Ireland's team manager in Ankara, Turkey, believes Joe Ward and Ray Moylette have what it takes to turn their bronze medals into at least silver from today's European Championships semi-finals in the Turkish capital.
Ward meets Hungarian light-heavyweight Imre Szello in the 81kg and Moylette clashes with Hajiliyev Heybatulla of Azerbaijan in a light-welterweight last-four duel.
Both Irish boxers – who claimed AIBA World Youth titles in 2008 and 2010 – are guaranteed at least bronze from the 40-nation Continental deciders in Ankara.
The corresponding 81kg and 64kg semi-finals see Russia’s Nikita Ivanov face Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep at light-heavy and England’s Thomas Stalker trade leather with Italy’s Vincenzo Mangiacapre at light-welter.
“Joe and Raymond should be well able for their opponents and we’re quietly confident going into the semi-finals. The Hungarian is a big, strong lad, but he’s fairly straight and that should suit Joe,” said Donnelly.
“Raymond should be well able for the Azerbaijani lad also. It could be touch and go in both semi-finals. Raymond and Joe are confident and relaxed and the whole squad will be 100 per cent behind them.
“We’re disappointed John Joe Nevin and Michael Conlon aren’t there also. They were both absolutely destroyed by the judges in the quarter-finals. John Joe was back to his level best and he gave an exhibition of boxing against the Russian.
“But he didn’t get the decision which was very, very disappointing because he deserved it. The lads gave it their all in the quarter-finals. Willie, Michael, Darren, John Joe, Joe and Raymond left everything in the ring.”
Meanwhile, Ken Egan believes if Ward stays away from Szello’s big right hand that could be half the battle won in today’s showdown with the experienced Hungarian.
Egan has beaten Szello twice in three meetings and reckons if 17-year-old Ward – the youngest member of the Irish squad in Turkey – plays his cards right he’ll make tomorrow’s finals.
“If Joe stays away from Szello’s big right hand he’ll be laughing,” said Egan, who was beaten by Ward in February’s Elite light-heavyweight final at the National Stadium in Dublin.
“Szello has a lot of power in his right and he likes to go for a knock out. Joe should play it cute and stay to his left and keep banging them in.
“The important thing for Joe is that he stays cool and gets in front. It will be a tough one for him as Szello has been around. He’s experienced but Joe is well capable of winning it.
“The lads have done very well to get to the semi-finals and fair play to them for getting there. Fingers crossed that they can get to Friday’s finals in Turkey now.”
Today’s semi-finals begin at noon, Irish time. Moylette will be in action in the afternoon session and Ward in the evening, and the fights will be live on www.aiba.org.
AIBA European Championship semi-finals – 64kg:Ray Moylette (St Anne's) v Hajiliyev Heybatulla (Azerbaijan); 81kg:Joe Ward (Moate) v Imre Szello (Hungary).
