European Boxing Championships: Michaela Walsh settles for bronze with semi-final defeat

Michaela Walsh will return from the European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria with a bronze medal after shedding her featherweight semi-final on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Belfast fighter misplaced on a 4-1 cut up determination by Kazakhstan-born Hungarian Vladislava Kukhta [29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29] after a technical bout of contrasting kinds.

Walsh has now secured three podium finishes this 12 months following silver medals on the Commonwealth Games and Strandja Tournament.

“It was very cagey and the techniques have been to attempt to lead her on [into counters] however she is a superb operator and it was at all times simply how that first spherical was going to go as it might dictate the battle,” Walsh instructed Boxing Ireland.

“I’m pleased with my efficiency and fought to the very finish.

“2023 was the final time I used to be on an cross-border podium [until this year]. I used to be going by way of a little bit of a stale interval, however by no means gave up, believed in myself and knew I might produce massive performances.

“This is not over, it is only a stepping stone, so onto subsequent 12 months for the Olympic qualifier.”

Both took some time to settle and a quiet opener was shaded by southpaw Vladislava on three of the 5 playing cards.

The World Boxing Cup Brazil finalist discovered a house for some straight lefts, whereas Walsh loved her personal moments when quickening the ft to advance and land on the within.

The tempo elevated within the second as they started to let their fingers go, Vladislava choosing quantity to Walsh’s extra measured strategy to attract the lead and counter.

Accumulation would catch the attention because the Hungarian’s work was rewarded on all 5 playing cards to assist her right into a wholesome lead on three playing cards with two even.

Walsh wanted an enormous ultimate spherical and opened effectively with a proper and whereas Vladislava was not content material to coast residence as she loved additional success with the left, the Belfast girl boxed fantastically with constant pictures discovering the goal.

However, it was not sufficient ultimately as her match got here to an finish.