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 in Sofia.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, boxing at 60kg, never looked troubled. Sharp, composed and busy from the first bell, the Newtownstewart fighter controlled the tempo and distance, piling up the points while keeping Bocarov firmly on the back foot. When the scorecards came in, there was no room for debate.

Next Fight

Next up is a tougher test. Gallagher will face France's Lounes Hamraoi on Monday in the last 16, a bout that will go a long way to showing just how deep he can go in this tournament.

Team Ireland

His victory continues a strong start for Team Ireland. Gallagher becomes the second Irish boxer from the 14-strong squad to post a win in Sofia, following Commonwealth gold medallist Jon McConnell, who also earned a unanimous decision on Thursday against Turkey's Necat Ekinci.

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.