Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 5:00pm

Joyce is boxer of the Euro Schoolboy championship

by Kevin O'Neill

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MOATE boxer John Joyce was sent through a conflict of emotions at the 8th European Schoolboy Championships in Bulgaria late last week.

Joyce, representing Moate Boxing Club, scooped the coveted Boxer of the Tournament Award at the highly-rated tournament, despite losing his semi-final to Ivan Dubovik of Russia in Yambol Citylast Friday.

Joyce, rated as one of the most promising teenagers in the country, was controversially adjudged to have lost 1-0 in his 41.5kg semi-final to Dubovik, who then went on to claim gold in Saturday's final.

However, many observers believed that Joyce, who received a standing ovation from the Bulgarian crowd as he was leaving the ring, clearly won the last-four clash, and should have been in Saturday's decider.

Despite his exit at the tournament's semi-final stage, the promising Joyce can take great comfort from the fact his performances were recognised in the shape of the Boxer of the Tournament Award.

Wayne Kelly, from the Brosna Boxing Club in Westmeath, was also on the receiving end of a dubious decision when he was adjudged to have lost his semi-final to Timur Aminov, also of Russia, who also won gold. Joyce, Kelly and Finn Valley Donegal club-man Michael Gallagher were presented with their bronze medals at Saturday's award ceremony.