Joe Ward has won the silver medal in the light-heavyweight division at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Doha after losing a unanimous decision to Cuban Julio La Cruz in the final.
The Moate light-heavyweight boxed bravely, attempting to take the fight to his opponent from the opening bell, but La Cruz, who becomes a three-time world champion with this win, was superior throughout.
"Overall these championships has been pretty decent for me. I came out here to qualify for the Olympic Games and I achieved that
The 26-year-old Cuban – the World No 1 and No 1 seed here at the tournament – used his extensive reach to counter Ward time and again, catching the pursuing Irishman as he circled the ring on the back foot.
La Cruz had, somewhat oddly, been awarded Boxer of the Year by the AIBA on Tuesday night in advance of the final, although he has been in great form.
Ward lost all three rounds on the judges’ cards, 30-27 in total, although he had a good shout for the first round having caught La Cruz with a hard left hand early on to set a tone.
The 21-year-old Irishman boxed more aggressively in the last round after losing the first and second as he chased the bout.
The fight was halted briefly in the third as a cut over the right eye of La Cruz was attended to, but while Ward threw caution to the wind with late attacking flurries, it was not enough to win.
Ward was out to follow the lead of Michael Conlan, who became the first-ever Irishman to claim a world gold medal last night, but he instead takes home a silver medal as consolation, with the significant prize of a place at the Rio 2016 Olympics also picked up thanks to his success in reaching the 81kg world final.
“Overall these championships has been pretty decent for me. I came out here to qualify for the Olympic Games and I achieved that,” said Ward immediately after the fight.
“It was a tough fight, the first round changed a lot. I thought I done enough to win the first round, but it was close and I kind of had to push on a bit then and he showed his class by keeping out of range.
“Overall, it’s been a great championships, I’m going back [to Ireland] with a silver medal and going to Rio. I’m going to learn from this now and all I can do is get better and improve with that fight and see how we go in the Olympic Games,” added Ward.
AS IT HAPPENED
By Eoin Ryan
Round 1 A cagey opening, with La Cruz welcoming Ward forward and trying to pick him off on the counter. Ward lands a couple of shots and the Cuban hits the canvas but it was a slip. Constant pressure from Joe but all three judges give it 10-9 to La Cruz. Ward needs to get closer and do some damage, he's playing into the Cuban's hands at the moment.
Round 2 Cruz starts the second round as he ends the first, looking comfortable but Ward lands a good right hand. Joe is finding it very hard to land anything clean on him though and his opponent continues to pick him off with combinations as he comes forward. Constant dancing feet from La Cruz. That's another 10-9 round to the Cuban and he's 20-18 ahead on all cards going into the last round. Joe Ward needs something special to pull it out of the bag now.
Round 3 Joe Ward knows he has to go for broke in pursuit of a knock-down but La Cruz is more cautious now with one hand on the gold medal. His guard is up now but he still manages to twice catch the onrushing Ward with uppercuts. The fight is stopped briefly as La Cruz receives attention for a cut over his eye. Ward storms forward on the resumption and enjoys his best moments of the fight, catching the Cuban with some crunching hooks. He's probably won this round but it won't be enough.
Result Julio La Cruz wins 3-0 to secure his third consecutive World Championship gold medal. The Cuban's speed and technique were just too much as Joe was unable to land much until the final round, which the judges all surprisingly awarded to La Cruz. Still a fantastic achievement from the 21-year-old Westmeath man, who will go to the Rio 2016 Olympics with great confidence.
