RAY MOYLETTE'S Olympic dream is over after suffering a 3-0 unanimous decision loss to Armenia's Hovhannes Bachkov in Vargas, Venezuela on Monday night.
Mayo light-welterweight Moylette was the sole Irishman eligible to enter the final qualifier for the Rio Games, but he fell short when dropping all three rounds to his opponent. The Vargas tournament is only open to professionals and boxers who have competed in APB and WSB, with Moylette entitled to enter thanks to his experience in the latter event.
This was the former European champion's first and only shot at this summer's Olympics after being overlooked for the traditional amateur qualifiers. It had looked to be a great opportunity to book a ticket for Rio as three boxers from Moylette's 64kg light-welterweight class will qualify for the Games via the Vargas tournament, meaning two wins would secure an Olympic spot.
The Westport native failed to fire last night, however, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27. Moylette started well in a tight first round, but Bachkov took control in the final two rounds to seal the win. Despite the controversy that surrounded the decision to open the qualifier and the Olympic Games to professional boxers, paid fighters have not fared particularly well so far at the Vargas tournament.
Ireland will only have an academic interest in the rest of the action from Venezuela, however, following Moylette's loss. Eight Irish boxers have already qualified for Rio, with coaches Zaur Antia and John Conlan currently managing their pre-Olympic training camp at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown this week.
