Rob McCracken, Head Coach with the British Lionhearts, hailed the performance of Ireland’s Joe Ward – pictured above after Saturday’s World Series of Boxing (WSB) win – versus the French Fighting Roosters in Newport, Wales.
The Lionhearts came from behind to record a 3-2 victory to go top of the European group.
Ward, the current European Elite champion and World Elite finalist who had Irish head coach Zaur Antia working his corner in Wales, stopped highly-rated French light-heavy Bakery Diabra in the 5th round.
The win was the Irish southpaw’s third on the bounce in the WSB season and maintains his grip on top spot in the Individual WSB 81kg rankings.
“It was a superb team performance, said McCracken.
“Joe Ward showed his class and experience in stopping Bakary Diabira in the fifth round. The Frenchman who is very tough, solid and busy, worked extremely hard but Joe Ward was always one step ahead of him. Joe boxed well throughout the bout forcing a stoppage at the end, getting a very good win.”
Ward will be back in action in the WSB next month.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s boxers, courtesy of Ward and Caoimhin Agyarko-Hynes, who, boxing for Italia Thunder, beat Hong Sik Kee Clement of the French Fighting Roosters earlier this month in Paris, remain unbeaten in the WSB this season after four outings in the light-heavy class.
Ward and Agyarko-Hynes box out of the Moate BC and Holy Trinity BC.