AIBA World middleweight Youth champ Joe Ward claimed gold at the 20-Nation Abbas Agalarov Youth Cup with a convincing win over Abdeshnov Denislan of Kazakhstan in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday.
A 6-1 verdict saw the Moate BC man, who claimed an AIBA World Junior title in 2009, finish on top of the light-heavyweight podium.
And in a double celebration for the 17-year-old he was also presented with the boxer of the tournament award.
Baku has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Ward over the last 12 months as he won gold at the Abbas Agalarov tournament in 2009 and followed that up with a gold medal win at middleweight at the 2010 AIBA World Youth Championships in the Azerbaijani city a few months later.
Following that win - his second World title victory at Junior and Youth level in 12 months - Ward moved up to light-heavyweight.
Speaking after today's victory, Irish coaches Jimmy Payne and Eddie Bolger were full of praise for Ward and the Irish squad who will be taking home one gold and four bronze medals from Baku.
‘Joe was magnificent today and we are absolutely delighted with his performance.
‘Today's final was his third bout in three days and he's beaten the best out here.
'The entire squad gave it everything at this tournament and we couldn't have asked for anything more.’
Evan Metcalfe, Declan Milligan, Michael McDonagh and Kieron Forde all won bronze in Baku.
