Olympics dream is back on for Mayo boxing star

MAYO boxing star Ray Moylette’s Olympics dream is back on.

It follows the defeat earlier today of Irish champion Dean Walsh in an Olympic qualifier in Baku.

The Wexford pugilist suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Bulgaria’s Smetov Ismetov in the last 32 at light-welterweight division, ending his hopes of representing Ireand in Rio in August.

The result has opened a door to Moylette who can now qualify through the last Olympic qualifier in Venezuela.

Moylette, a member of St. Anne’s BC, Westport, announced this evening (Sunday) his intention to contest the qualifier in South America.

He revealed: “I have keep my head down over the last number of months and kept fighting to keep my hopes alive.

'Things didn’t always go my way but I still fought for every minute, just waiting to get my opportunity. I took the road not often travelled to give myself the best possible chance of qualifying.

“I have been rewarded for my efforts, Thank God for equipping me with the skills that give me a great opportunity to seize the final Olympics spot.

'I also thank him for giving me great understanding and patience when things didn’t go my way.

“Thank to everybody for their support through the good times and the not-so-good times. I have a great following that really is second to none.”