Desmond qualifies for Olympic Youth Games

Cork’s Christina Desmond will represent Ireland in the middleweight class at the 2014 Olympic Youth Games.

The Macroom BC southpaw beat Kazakhstan’s Valentina Khalzova on a split decision in today’s box-off  to book her ticket for August’s Games in China.

It was a close one against the tricky Kazakh, but Desmond, who landed a sweet left right on the final bell and who also found the target with some big hooks off both hands throughout the four rounds, deservedly had her hand raised in victory.

The 18-year-old, who was edged out on a split decision in the 2013 AIBA World Youth welterweight final in Bulgaria by Gaukhar Ermekbay of Kazakhstan, punched the air in delight when the verdict was announced.

Meantime, for the second time in 24 hours Ciara Ginty was adjudged to have been beaten on a split decision in Sofia.

The current AIBA World Junior champion and 2013 AIBA World Junior Boxer of the Year lost to Yi-Pei Wu of Chinese Taipei this morning.

Boxing very well off the front and back foot against the constant aggression of her opponent, Ginty finished off the bout with a flourish, two big head shots finding the target.

But when it went back to the judges after a tie, the decision went to Wu.

Irish team manager Liam Brereton hailed Desmond’s performance, but said that they thought that Ginty had done enough to win and were stunned at the result.

Michael Gallagher will be in action in the 12th fight of the afternoon session which begins at 1pm (Irish time).

The losing quarter-finalists at the World Youth Championships are boxing off for places in the Youth Olympics.

AIBA World Youth Box-Offs For Olympic Youth Games Sofia, Bulgaria