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Joe Ham: 'Qais Ashfaq was better on the day'

Scotland boxer Joe Ham praises Qais Ashfaq after losing to the Team England athlete in the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games.

Scotland boxer Joe Ham praised Qais Ashfaq after losing to the Team England athlete in the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

Ham, who was denied the chance to win a medal, said that Ashfaq was "the better man" in Glasgow and praised the sharpness of his fellow boxer.

"His gameplan was better than mine. He knew he was going to be on the backfoot, which was the right tactics against me. If you stand and trade with me in the middle of the ring, then I will always come out on top," he told reporters following the bout.

"His movement was better than mine. I have put in years of hard work in the amateur game and it is just a shame that it has ended like that in the quarter-finals.

"Ashfaq is such a tricky opponent, his feet are very, very fast. Not the best puncher, but he doesn't need to be, he just needs to catch you with his fast flurries. Fair play to him, the better man won."

Ham also confirmed that he will try his luck in the professional ranks, ending his amateur career after close to 200 fights.

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Qais Ashfaq of Team GB poses for a portrait during the Team GB kitting out event ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Loughborough University on July 3, 2012
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