Adam Hession progresses at European Boxing Championships

Irish featherweight Adam Hession progressed to the second preliminary round of the European Boxing Championships after a unanimous decision 57kg victory over Giorgia Kapanadze of Georgia.

Hession set up an encounter with the Belgian Vasile Usturoi on Sunday after a comprehensive defeat of Kapanadze in Belgrade.

The Galway man was in control throughout Thursday afternoon's bout but will anticipate a sterner test at the weekend.

In May 2022, Usturoi beat Hession at the EUBC Elite Men's European Boxing Championships in Armenia. The winner of their rematch moves into the quarter-finals.

Later in the afternoon, heavyweight Jack Marley lost on a split decision to Victor Schelstraete of Belgium.

Marley made a polished start in the 92kg contest, and looked in control after a confident opening round.

However, Schelstraete responded in the second, catching Marley with a solid right-hander, before emptying the tank in aggressive third round that ultimately swung him the verdict.

Marley has already booked his ticket to the summer's Paris Games. He won silver at the European Games in Krakow last June.