The Olympics has always been my dream and that is my target now

Joe Ward admits qualifying for the Olympics via the World Championships in Doha will be tough, but he is determined not to leave it to the last qualifying round.

The Moat boxer, who won European light heavyweight gold for a second time last weekend, will have  to reach the 81kg final in October to book a ticket for the 31st Olympiad.

It will prove a difficult task even for the extremely talented 21 year old, but the Moat man is determined to qualify as early as he can.

Ward looked a cert to head to London 2012 and was tipped a possible medal winner- but ‘messed up’ in the World Championships before being robbed in a late European qualifier.

So qualifying for Rio in October is the goal.

“Getting to the Olympics has always been my dream and that will be my target at the Worlds, although it is going to be very tough, said the Moate southpaw.

“I enjoyed the Europeans Championships and being back in the squad. Winning a second gold medal at this level is a very proud achievement for me,”