John Joe Joyce was among the casualties as thirteen quarter-finals were decided this morning and afternoon at the Open Unseeded Elite Competition at Dublin's National Stadium.
A host of top Irish boxers, including European champions Ray Moylette and Joe Ward, Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes, European silver medal winner Darren O'Neill and Beijing Olympian John Joe Nevin, are not at the event.
This places their participation in the World Championships in jeopardy and as the Championships will function as one of just two Olympic qualifiers also means some big names could miss out on selection for London 2012.
This places their participation in the World Championships in jeopardy and as the Championships will function as one of just two Olympic qualifiers also means some big names could miss out on selection for the London 2012 Olympics.
In the other bouts, Tyrone McCullagh posted an impressive win over Shane Cox. Cox had a good first round and went in at the break just one point (4-3) in arrears against the 2010 European bronze medalist and Elite featherweight champ.
However, McCullagh fired home some fine shots off the back foot in the second to race into a 13-7 lead on his way to a 22-10 decision.
Elite welterweight champ Adam Nolan turned in an exhibition to post a comprehensive 21-6 verdict over Niall Murray.
An all Holy Trinity BC derby went the way of Mark O'Hara at the expense of his club-mate Sean McComb, O'Hara earning a 13-5 decision.
Five-time Elite champ and European bronze medalist Eric Donovan looked sharp and focused in his clash with Gavin Keating, the St Michael's Athy man producing a particularly good second round on his way to a 24-10 decision.
Donovan will now meet another St Michael's Athy team-mate David Oliver Joyce in the semi-finals tomorrow. Joyce, the 2009 EU champion, forced Jason Conroy into a standing count in the second en route to a 13-5 victory today.
Joyce said: "It's a pity we have to box each other again. We have met twice before and we have won one apiece. Whoever wants to get to the Worlds will have to win."
Meantime, Karl Brabazon secured his second victory in 24-hours with a 16-11 decision over Paul Upton.
Michael O'Reilly held a two point advantage (12-10) over Stephen Donnelly going into the third and also had a two point advantage at the final bell, while Stephen O'Reilly won every round 3-2 to post a 9-6 win over Conor Coyle.
Shane Murtagh, Conrad Cummings, 2009 European Youth champ Jason Quigley and Ken Ogunkbowa also won to book their tickets into Friday's semi-finals.
Friday's last four duels will be decided over two sessions beginning at 2pm and 7pm.
The finals will be held on Saturday (3pm).
