No medal predictions from Joe Ward – “I’ll just let it happen”

The High Performance Unit has cultivated a culture of success and confidence over the past ten years, with Ireland becoming an international boxing powerhouse.

Dozens of medals have been plundered and next month a record number of Irish boxers in the Olympic qualification age will box in Rio.

Eight in total will represent their country, with all eight having realistic medal hopes.

Some, such as Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan have confidence to match their World class talents, and go into the Games aiming for gold.

One man however who is not making any lofty predictions is Joe Ward. The Moate light heavyweight is one of the most talented Irish boxers ever. The only man to win two European golds, the only man to win World Championships medals at Junior, Youth, and Senior level, and he’s only 22.

The consensus number two heavyweight on the planet after Cuban star Julio Cesar La Cruz, Ward, who admits his talents are a “gift,” would be well within his rights to be hugely confident ahead of next month’s bonanza – but the Westmeath man isn’t keen to make predictions

Ward spoke to IABA TV and explained that “me personally, I’m just going to go there and give myself the best opportunity.”

“I’ll take every fight as it comes, and whatever the outcome is at the end of it I’ll appreciate it.

“I don’t worry about it too much. I’ll just let it happen.”

“I’m really honoured to be part of an Irish team.”

Watch Big Joe’s interview with IABA TV below:

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)