Jude Gallagher Advances in European Boxing Championships

Jude Gallagher marched into the last 16 of the European Boxing Championships with a commanding unanimous decision win over Slovakia's Maksym Bocarov, underlining his growing stature on the continental stage.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, boxing at 60kg, never looked troubled as he controlled the tempo and range, picking Bocarov off and easing through the rounds. It was the kind of measured, assured performance that suggests there is more to come this week.

Next Fight

Next up is a far stiffer examination. Gallagher will face France's Lounes Hamraoi on Monday, a last-16 tie that will reveal just how deep his run in Sofia can go.

His victory continued a strong start for Team Ireland. He became the second Irish fighter from the 14-strong squad to have his hand raised in Bulgaria, after Commonwealth gold medallist Jon McConnell also secured a unanimous decision win over Turkey's Necat Ekinci on Thursday.

Upcoming Matches

The momentum could build again on Friday. Dean Clancy steps through the ropes at 65kg to meet Germany's Mohamed Siala at 16:00 BST, aiming to keep Ireland’s early surge rolling into the business end of the championships.