Eagleson wins silver at European Championships

Irish bantamweight fighter Dylan Eagleson won a silver medal at the EUBC Men's European Boxing Championships in Armenia today.

Eagleson was in action against France's Bilal Bennama, but lost via a unanimous decision following an enthralling final bout.

Teenage Belfast fighter Eagleson impressed mightily at this tournament, particularly in his semi-final victory over Bulgaria’s Daniel Panev Asenov, but was always up against it in facing Bennama.

The 19-year-old Irish fighter was the early aggressor in the opening round, with Bennama ducking in and out of range as he sized up his opponent.

Eagleson set up in the centre of the ring and as he tried to force the issue early on but the superior footwork of Bennama left him punching air more often than not.

Bennama was perhaps fortunate to escape without a warning for twice pushing Eagleson to the ground but as the round progress and he set-up behind his left jab, it was the Frenchman who was in control and he took the opening round on four of the five judges cards.

The opening stages of the second round following the pattern of the first with Eagleson looking the more aggressive and his opponent the more tactical fighter, carefully picking his counter-punches.

That approach paid dividends for Bennama who, midway through the second round, caught his opponent with a powerful overhand left on the counter, knocking him down and forcing him into a standing count.

That knockdown proved to be decisive, ensuring the round went to the Frenchman and leaving Eagleson needing a stoppage in the third round to take the fight.

That stoppage didn’t come and Bennama skillfully saw out the fight to the take the gold via unanimous decision.

Ireland have another gold medal hope today as Gabriel Dossen is