European Championships

Great Britain and Ireland go into the upcoming European Championships with contrasting fortunes. Since the 2012 games Britain have lost Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo and Tom Stalker to the professional code, while both Anthony Joshua and Fred Evans are both undecided on their futures and will not compete. On the other hand, Ireland did not lose any of their stars to the paid ranks and will send a such more experienced team to Minsk. John Joe Nevin flirted with signing with Amir Khan's promotional company before ultimately staying on board as an amateur for Rio 2016. These Championships will be seeded for the first time, based on performances at previous major tournaments. England, Scotland and Wales will all be represented singularly, rather than as part of the union. All British and Irish boxers are not rated in the new European rankings unless stated.

At 49kg, Paddy Barnes of Ireland is one of the favourites. Ranked third in Europe, he is a double Olympic Bronze medallist, losing both times to the peerless Zou Shiming. He was crowned both European and Commonwealth Champion in 2010, though injury prevented him from defending his European title the following year. Salman Alizadeh of Azerbaijan triumphed in Barnes' absence so could well be in the mix. England is represented by 18 year old Jack Bateson. Already a two time ABA champion, he may lack some on the international scene. The Russian, David Ayrapetyan, should also feature in in the latter stages.

Andrew Selby (Ranked no 1), the reigning Champion at flyweight, is hot favourite to repeat the trick again. He was unfortunate to run into the formidable Ramirez of Cuba at the 2012 games, which prevented him from winning a medal and he will look to get back to winning ways at the first major tournament since London. One of his toughest challenges will be third ranked, Michael Conlan. He lost in the semi finals at the Olympics to the above mentioned Cuban. He lost by a point to Selby in the 2011 World Championships, and dropped a tight decision to him in a recent WSB matchup. There isn't much between them and always seem to produce edge of your seat tussles. Charlie Edwards (unranked at flyweight) boxes for England also. He won a bronze at the 2011 Europeans at the weight below. He could struggle to match that feat this time, given the strength of the field. The reigning World Champion is Micha Aloyan, of Russia. He will be tough to beat, should either Selby, Conlan or Edwards draw him.

For me, the clear favourite at Bantamweight has to be John Joe Nevin of Ireland. He won a silver medal at London 2012, narrowly dropping a decision to Luke Campbell in the final and is the top ranked boxer in the division. In his semi, he produced an absolute masterclass to soundly defeat the reigning world Champion, Alvarez, of Cuba in one of the best exhibitions of boxing seen at the Games. If he can produce that level of performance through-out the tournament, then the gold medal should be his. Sean McGoldrick, 2010 Commonwealth Champion, represents Wales at this weight. He produced some outstanding performances in the WSB for the Lionhearts and could be in the mix. Gamal Yafai, bronze medalist at the 2010 edition, goes in for England. Stiff competition could also come in the shape of the Bulgarian former World Champion, Dalakliev.

Ukraine's Vasyl Lomachenko is head and shoulders above all others at Lightweight but he is unlikely to participate, having not done so since 2008. This opens up the division, though there are still strong contenders like Russia's Albert Selimov and Turkey's Fatih Keles to be wary of. Joe Cordina will be Britain's sole contender in this division, boxing for Wales. Ireland will be represented by a relative novice on the International scene, Sean McComb. He outshone seasoned competitors like Davey Oliver Joyce and Eric Donovan to win his first Irish Senior title. Both Cordina and McComb are not placed in the current European ratings and will do well to reach the medal rounds considering the depth of talent within the division.

The defending champion at Light Welter is Ireland's Ray Moylette (rated fifth). He collected the gold after defeating Tom Stalker in the 2011 decider. Moylette is a former World Youth World Champion, defeating Fred Evans on the way to gold, but hasn't kicked on as many thought he would. He didn't qualify for the Olympic Games but if he performs at his best, he will be a tough opponent for any one. Josh Taylor, a 2012 Olympian, will box for Scotland. He reached the second round before losing to former World Champion, Domenico Valentino of Italy. He will be looking to establish himself as Britain's top dog in the division as his main rival for that accolade, Sam Maxwell, will be boxing for England. Maxwell has a win over Selimov from Russia, which is no mean feat and has also gained valuable experience having boxed Lomachenko twice in this year's WSB. He could well be a real dark horse in the tournament. Both Taylor and Maxwell are unlikely to be seeded will likely face some tough opposition if they are to progress.

The sole competitor from Britain or Ireland will be Adam Nolan. He represented Ireland at the 2012 games, losing in the second round to the Russian Zamkovoy, the eventual Bronze medalist. He is coming of the back of two impressive wins earlier in the month against Frenchman Alexis Vastine so he is in good form. His height and long arms will make it difficult for most and could well win a medal if he performs like he can.

In his sole contest in the WSB, Anthony Fowler looked mightily impressive, stopping his opponent in the the third round. Since then he has had to undergo hand surgery, forcing him out of action for quite a while. He has recently come back and will represent England at Middleweight. Another of the Lionheart's Middleweights, Aston Brown, will represent Scotland. He had contrasting fortunes with Fowler, losing all his bouts but he was competitive in both. Jason Quigley defeated top Irish Middleweights Darren O'Neill and Conrad Cummings to win his first Senior title. although he is still only a young lad, he has picked up quite a bit of international experience, he is a former European Youth Champion and is also the reigning under 23 European Champion. He has been in superb form over the past few months and could well go all the way again in another European tournament.

Ireland's Joe Ward (ranked 3) is the reigning European Champion at 81kg. He was victorious at the tender age of just seventeen in Ankara two years ago and now tries to win back to back titles while still a teenager. He was on the receiving end of a very controversial decision at the final Olympic qualifier in Turkey which meant he was one of the notable absentees in the division. The eventual champion was Mekhontsev of Russia. Ward however, defeated him six months prior to the games, even forcing a standing count before running out a relatively wide points winner. Ward will be a major threat to everyone in the competition. Lawrence Osueke boxes for England in his first major tournament. Still inexperienced at this level he faces a real uphill struggle if he wants to take a medal home with him. Another danger in the draw is Olexandr Gvodzyk of Ukraine. He won a bronze at the games and was also the WSB season two individual champion.

Warren Baister is Britain's sole competitor at heavyweight. He lost out in the first round of the Olympic qualifier to the Bulgarian, Pulev, who eventually won a bronze medal. Tommy McCarthy represents in Ireland at the weight. He reached the semi finals of the qualifier where he lost out to a strong Moldovan. Competition at the weight is fierce, if Olexandr Uysk of Ukraine decides to enter then he is the man to beat. Mammadov of Azerbaijan, Clemente Russo of Italy, Russia's Berterbiev, as well as the aforementioned Pulev will all provide stiff opposition.

With Anthony Joshua mulling over his future options, Joe Joyce gets the opportunity to box at his very first major tournament at Super Heavy. He was superb in the WSB, losing only once to Uysk. He is still very raw at the moment, lacking in finesse but uses his frame and excellent engine to great effect. He is a tough customer for anyone as he will not stop coming forward and will make his opponent work for every second of every round. Con Sheehan will represent Ireland in the division. He has plenty of experience considering his young age and is coming of the back of France's Youth Olympic champion, Tony Yoka. With the Irish team currently in Ukraine at a training camp, the sparring he will receive could prove invaluable to his medal prospects. As expected, many of the division's stronger candidates are from Eastern Europe. Medzidov of Azerbaijan and Russia's Ivanov are expected to do well, while Roberto Camarelle of Italy can never be written off.

Over the past two tournaments Ireland have exceeded expectations, finishing second and third respectively in the overall medal table. Having kept the core of their team together another strong showing could well be on the cards. Will a strong and settled team, many of them have great chances of finishing atop of the podium. Russia and Ukraine will more than likely finish in the top two positions if they field their strongest teams but Ireland could well be the best of the rest. For the Welsh, Scots and English it is a different prospect altogether. Selby will be favourite for gold, but other than Taylor, few others possess real international experience. Britain are in a rebuilding phase and will be looking to blood youngsters with the aim of medals in the future. Boxing in Britain and Ireland has never been stronger and none of these fighters will be going to the Championships with the aim of making up the numbers. If they perform to their best, then all could come home with a medal.

Superb preview, as ever. Can't tell you how useful this is as a guide to what to look out for in future. Well done, 6olden.

Thanks, Captain. The championships don't start for another 10 days but I thought it will give anyone interested a guide to what's happening. If I hear anything newsworthy prior to the start I will post it here. Both nations are in training camps so injuries are a possibility.

My amateur knowledge you could write on the back of a small stamp, so I daren't contribute, however thought I'd post to praise you on these extremely informative and interesting analysis 6oldenboy, I read with great interest.

Many thanks Rodders

Great piece on amateur game as ever paul. Cheers mate

Excellent preview and sets the scene very nicely for the upcoming Championships. From an Irish point of view I'm expecting Joe Ward's progress will be the main news story from the championships.

Yeah, Ward is the darling of Irish Boxing at the moment and rightly so, given the potential the boy has. Personally I'd like to see Moylette return to the form that he was in two years ago. He's still only 22 so has plenty of major tournaments ahead of him.

I've heard and read a lot of good things about Jack Bateson since is first ABA win last year. Still only 18 and now a two time winner, he has a lot of potential. Will be looking forward to see how he progresses.

Have just put this up on the journal.

http://v2journal.com/16/post/2013/05/european-championships.html

Really good read mate.

Mixed fortunes for British boxers after yesterday's first session.

Sam Maxwell opened his account with a unanimous decision against the Hungarian light welterweight. Not so good news for Wales representative, Zack Davies. He forced a count on his Turkish opponent but fell short overall, losing the decision.

At Light heavy, both British boxers bowed out. England's Lawrence Osueke lost a unanimous decision to Mullenberg of The Netherlands. Scott Forrest of Scotland lost a decision to 2012 Olympian, Draskovic from Montenegro.

Plenty of action today. McGoldrick, Fowler, Brown, Cordina, McComb and Nolan all boxing.

With the Welsh rugby boys scoring 7 out of 8 tries for the Lions yesterday lets hope our boxers can put in some good work and keep up our great sporting reputation within the Isles

Ha, but it took an Irishman to lead and inspire you, though.

Some of the Welsh boys have tough draws. Ashley Williams boxes Paddy Barnes, rated number two in Europe in his first fight. If McGoldrick overcomes his Turkish opponent, he faces Joe Joe Nevin, rated number one in Europe. Cordina faces an Azeri and if triumphant will face the top seed Bulgarian in the next round. Selby is definitely the favourite, him and Conlan are the two top seeds so can't meet until the final.

Sean McComb loses a unanimous decision to Ukraine's Ishchenko. First Irishman to box and first to fall.

Joe Cordina bows out for Wales, losing 3-0 to his Azeri opponent. Good news for Scotland, as Aston Brown advances to the next round, winning a unanimous decision.

Anthony Fowler wins his opening bout comfortably. Faces the German Olympic Quarter finalist next.

Adam Nolan progresses via unanimous decision over the Polish boxer. Sean McGoldrick loses to his Turkish rival and bows out.

Michael Conlan, Ray Moylette, Joe Ward and Con Sheehan all box for Ireland tomorrow. Andrew Selby, Charlie Edwards, Sam Maxwell, Josh Taylor and Joe Joyce all go for Britain.

Really poor day for Ireland today. Joe Ward was boxing well and heading to a wide UD with 20 seconds to go when he fell awkwardly and dislocated his knee. He had to retire due to the injury. Ray Moylette, Ireland's other reigning champion, lost a unanimous decision to a Turkish boxer. Disappointing from him. Con Sheehan lost a split decision to a Georgian, with the only bright spot being Michael Conlan winning a unanimous decision.

Sam Maxwell won a UD over the number 1 seed from Italy, Mangiacapre. Andrew Selby also progressed to the next round, as did Joe Joyce. Josh Taylor and Charlie Edwards are both going home without a medal after suffering defeats to a Russian and a German respectively.

Awful news about Ward, 6olden. Just the type of injury that a boxer, especially an amateur boxer, whose movement is so crucial to him, can well do without. I sincerely hope that there is no long-term impact on his career.

Superb stuff from Maxwell - could he be the next poster boy for the amateur game over here? By contrast, what's happened to Moylette lately? Needs a good tournament somewhere soon, one would think.

Same, let's hope he is ready for the Worlds later this year. He's had enough bad luck to last a life time, he broke his hand in the Youth Olympics as well as the controversial decision he lost to the Turkish boxer at the qualifier for the Games proper.

Moylette had a string of injuries after winning the Euro's last time round. He seemed to be showing some form again at the Seniors finals, but still lost to his old rival Ross Hickey. He has time on his side, but for a man with his pedigree, he needs to find some consistency.

Maxwell is flying considering his lack of experience. He faces the Russian who defeated Josh Taylor, so he will be going for revenge. Andrew Selby is still the premier Amateur in Britain, in my opinion. If he stays on for Rio and wins, he could well become Britain's most decorated amateur.

Yesterday was a much better day for Ireland. Five boxers on, four wins. Paddy Barnes defeated Wales' Williams. JJ Nevin boxed to a comfortable UD over his Turkish opponent. Jason Quigley opened his account with a decision against Austria and Tommy McCarthy out pointed Finland's representative. Adam Nolan came up short against the Ukrainian no1 seed.

No so good fortune for GB. Jack Bateson won to progress to the last 8, but Gamal Yafai lost to Armenia. Both Anthony Fowler and Aston Brown did not progress at Middleweight and Warren Baister lost to a Russian at Heavy.

GB have Bateson, Selby, Maxwell and Joyce left in the competition. Ireland have Barnes, Conlan, Nevin, Quigley and McCarthy.

Ireland will have four guaranteed medals while GB will have three going into the semi finals of the Championships. Barnes, Conlan, Quigley and Nevin all prevailed for Ireland while Bateson, Joyce and Selby will all box for a spot in the final on Friday. Tommy McCarthy lost a tight decision to number 1 seed, Mammadov of Azerbaijan, while Sam Maxwell lost a controversial bout to the Russian who defeated Josh Taylor. Semi Final Draw below.

46/49 Kg – Ayrapetyan (RUS) vs Bateson (ENG)
- Alizada (AZE) vs Barnes (IRL)

52Kg: Ogannisian (RUS) vs Conlan (IRL)
– Selby (WAL) vs Mamishzada (AZE)

56 Kg - Nevin (IRL) vs Nikitin (RUS)
– Butsenko (UKR) vs Avagyan (ARM)

60Kg: Polyanskiy (RUS) vs Ishchenko (UKR)
– SAFARYANTS (BLR) vs Varga (HUN)

64 Kg - Zakaryan (RUS) vs Ladjali (FRA)
– HARUTYUNYAN (GER)vs Galagot (MDA)

69Kg – Martujan (GER) vs Kastramin (BLR)
– Bestupin (RUS) vs SHELESTYUK (UKR)

75 Kg - KHYTROV(UKR) vs QUIGLEY (IRL)
– Harcsa (HUN) vs Juratoni (Rou)

81Kg: Mullenberg (NED) vs Ciobanu (MDA)
– Novikau (BLR) vs Ivanov (RUS)

91 Kg - Mammadov (AZE) vs Poyatsyka (UKR)
– Ahmatovic (GER) vs Egorov (RUS)

+91 Kg - Medzhidov (AZE) vs Zuyeu (BLR)
– Joyce (ENG) vs Kuzmin (RUS)

Live stream of the Championships on the BBC now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/22813519?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Jack Bateson lost out to the Russian. Paddy Barnes in now.

Barnes wins. Through to the final against the Russian.

John Joe Nevin wins a unanimous decision over the Russian. Two in the finals with two more to come.

Ireland's Jason Quigley defeats the reigning World Champion, Khytrov, from Ukraine to book his place in the final. Three from three for the Irish today, with Michael Conlan still to box in the afternoon session. Great stuff.

Andrew Selby and Joe Joyce both box later.

6oldenbhoy wrote:Ireland's Jason Quigley defeats the reigning World Champion, Khytrov, from Ukraine to book his place in the final. Three from three for the Irish today, with Michael Conlan still to box in the afternoon session. Great stuff.

Andrew Selby and Joe Joyce both box later.

Thanks for this.

Thanks for the updates goldenbhoy, they're great.

Both Andrew Selby and Michael Conlan won their semi's setting up what should be another cracking fight. Both won via split decision over an Azeri and a Russian respectively. Four wins from four for Ireland (two beating Russians) is remarkable. Joe Joyce is the last to go on.

No bother, lads. Will be doing the same for the finals tomorrow.

Joe Joyce was stopped in the first round by the Russian, Kuzmin. Great performance from him in his first major to win a medal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjg-pj7tgl0

Strange stoppage.

Haven't seen it, mate. I'm out but will have a gander when I'm back.

Knocked down twice. The russian can bang mind you.

Looked like he could have continued but no dount would have ended up on his backside again. The refs saved him from punishment.

They don't take chances in the amateurs so your probably right hampo. I think if Joyce wasn't so laid back and expressionless then he had enough bounce in the legs to convince an amateur ref he could continue. Without meaning to disrespect the lad Joyce doesn't seem the brightest of fighters but in his defence this could be down to his inexperience? If the fight had continued I'm not sure Joyce, without relying on natural toughness, would have had the ability/know how to get through a rough period (so it was probably the right decision by the ref).

Paddy Barnes broke his nose in his first fight against Wales. He had an Xray today and the doctor has refused to let him fight. The Russian wins by walkover. Gutted for Barnes. Really fancied him to win.

Does anyone have a link for Egorov Vs Mammadov.

Cheers

found one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIp9yQC9hD0

Egor....wasn't he in Frankenstein??........Gotta admire his longevity...

Strong relentless throwback. How do people see him fairing against Usyk?

You know my thoughts on Mammadov, Mackem so I'm probably not as impressed with Egorov as yourself. Strong showing from him though, he looks strong and is pretty relentless in attack. That said, he doesn't look very refined, I didn't see him throw a jab all fight. Usyk is a whole different ball game than Mammadov. As seen in the WSB, his movement is so good that it lets him compete and defeat Super Heavies. I imagine that Egorov would start in the same vein as he did against Mammadov, but will find Usyk far more elusive. Once Usyk finds his range he starts countering with big lefts. Egorov becomes more and more desperate as the fight goes on, and his recklessness is punished by Uysk who eventually runs away with it. Score cards read 30-27 twice and 29-28 the other.

May never see the fight though. Both Lomachenko and Uysk are in America and have met with Goldenboy and Arum. Looks like both are going pro.

You know I really like Mammadov. I honestly believe he's got an Olympic gold in him. He's only going to get better as he matures (he's still only twenty). Agreed, Usyk is different gravy (did i just say that?). I see the fight very similar if not the same as you.

Anyway, did you catch the Baister V Egorov? I didn't. If you don't already know Baisters out again with more foot surgery.

No didn't see Baister vs Egorov. Only the Semi's and Finals were stream, as far as I'm aware. Tough on him, he's had a pretty injury interrupted time of things lately. He always seems to get a tough draw as well.

He is going to improve, but he's 6'4" so he may not be far off a move to Super Heavy. I certainly wouldn't fancy him at the higher weight.

As seen against Egorov, the lack of snap in his punches means he struggles to keep aggressive opponents off him. I don't think the move to the ten point must system will suit his style either. From what I've heard he was lucky to get passed the Irish Heavy, McCarthy, in the quarter finals. McCarthy is a good fighter, but one I would expect a future Olympic Champion to be dealing with more comfortably.