Ireland's Dylan Eagleson has come up just shy in his quest for gold at the European boxing championships this afternoon. The 19 year old from Bangor in Co. Down, was beaten soundly in the final of the tournament by France's Bilal Bennama.
Bennama used all of his experience to win the fight. Controlling from start to finish, the 23 year old was declared the winner after all five judges scored the bout in his favour.
Eagleson started off the more aggressive of the two men, but Bennama used some slick footwork to stay out of range and pick off the Irishman. The second round followed a similar pattern, with Bennama dropping Eagleson with a lightning fast combination midway through the round.
From that point on, Eagleson needed a finish to take home gold. Bennama did well to keep his distance in the third and final round and fully deserved his victory.
Eagleson can hold his held up high and be proud of his performances on his way to picking up a European Silver medal. The teenager, competing in his first 'elite' championships, impressed many with his semi-final victory over the vastly more experienced Daniel Panev Asenov.
The St Paul’s of Belfast fighter had claimed a medal at the U22 European championships earlier this year, but this was his first championship at senior level. On the evidence of this tournament however, the future certainly appears bright for the Irishman.
All eyes now turn towards Gabriel Dossen of Galway, who will meet England’s Lewis Richardson in his middleweight final later this afternoon.
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