Joe Ward after his win in Qatar today (Friday)

Ward off to perfect start at World Championships

Moate boxer Joe Ward is through to the quarter finals of the AIBA world championships after he overcame a tough opening test at the event in Qatar today.

The 21-year-old European champion defeated Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak by a margin of 29 points to 28 on all three judges scorecards.

Looking sharp and hungry, Ward boxed really well on the back foot in the opening two rounds.

He made his opponent miss and counterpunched vigorously, which resulted in him winning both rounds on all the judges' scorecards.

Khyzhniak rallied during a final round in which the Farnagh native was caught with some heavy shots.

However Ward saw out the rocky spell and had done enough by that stage to ensure his arm would be raised in victory.

This was the local man's first bout in Qatar after he received a bye through the opening round of the championships.

Ward will now face Mikhail Dauhaliavets of Belarus tomorrow (Saturday) in the quarter final. If Joe makes it to the final of the world championships he will have ensured his qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio next summer.

Television coverage of the world championships in Qatar begins on RTE Two tomorrow (Saturday) at 5.30pm.

Ward's Irish teammate Michael Conlan tweeted his congratulations after the Moate man's win today: