Joe Ward claimed silver for Ireland on Saturday evening in the light heavyweight division at the World Boxing Championships in Hamburg. The 23-year-old added to the silver and bronze he had previously won at the level.
Ward lost out to the three-time champion Julio De La Cruz by unanimous decision in the final.
It was the third time that Ward has faced La Cruz at the World Championships. Ward was previously beaten by the Cuban, who is the reigning Olympic champion, at both the 2013 and 2015 World Championships.
The Westmeath man progressed to the final after defeating Uzbek Bektimer Melikuziev on a split decision on Friday. It made him the first ever Irishman to reach two World Championship finals.
Speaking on BBC's coverage of the fight, former middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall - who was on co-commentary duty - perfectly summed up just how tough a job Ward had against the 29-year-old.
He's well-seasoned, most of our amateurs have turned pro - some are even finished - at the age of 29.
This fella, Olympic champion, now four-time World Champion. There's probably not many boxers in professional boxing that would beat him over three rounds because he's mastered the style and technique of this three-round sport.
Like I say, you name me a professional out there that would beat him over three, they'd probably struggle because he's that good. He really is. It would probably take an Andre Ward or someone to match him. He's a class act, he really is.
