BOXING Gold and Silver for Ireland at AIBA World Youth Championships

Joe Ward claimed his second World title inside a year with a comfortable victory over Damien Hooper at the AIBA World Youth Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan today.

The Westmeath teenager, who claimed light middleweight gold at the AIBA World Junior Championships in Armenia last May, beat the Australian middleweight 6-1 over three, three minute rounds in today's 75Kg final.

However, Belfast light flyweight Ryan Burnett had to settle for silver after he lost 9-4 to Salman Alizada of Azerbaijan in the 48Kg decider.

Speaking after today's win, Ward, who along with Burnett has qualified for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August, said that he was having difficulty believing that he had just created a unique piece of Irish amateur boxing history.

He said: "I still can't believe it and I think it will take a while for it to sink in that I'm a double world champion. I'm thrilled with the win and very proud to be taking home gold for Ireland from this tournament."

Today's medal haul ensured that Ireland finished in 6th spot in a league table of 90 nations.

Cuba, who lost their three head-to-heads with Ireland, top the table.

However, Ireland were using the smallest squad (a six strong squad) of all the nations in the top ten and equaled Cuba, who were using an eleven strong panel, having scored 3.5 points per boxer.