Stylish Sweeney secures podium place at European Championships in Serbia

Shannon Sweeney boxed her way to a European Championship's medal with a comprehensive victory over Spain’s Laura Fuertes Fernandez in Belgrade.

Fighting in the 50kg light flyweight division, Sweeney took control of the bout from the opening exchanges, defending well against her come-forward opponent, while impressing the judges with a stylish back-foot performance.

Winning the first round on all five judges’ scorecards without really troubling the Spanish boxer, Sweeney then stepped up a level in the second and really started to dominate the contest, landing some big right hands throughout with her slick southpaw stance.

Sweeney even had time to showboat a little as the round finished, dropping her hands with confidence to pick the shots to secure another 10:9 round across the board.

Fernandez came out swinging in the final round as she needed a stoppage to advance, and while Sweeney was happy to stick and trade for the final minutes, she also landed the scoring shots, which handed her a unanimous 30:27 win on all scorecards.

Sweeney is next out in Friday’s semi-finals where she will be looking to upgrade the bronze to either gold or silver by making it into the division decider.

Niamh Fay is also set for a place on the podium as she received a walkover in the quarter-finals to secure a bronze medal at least in the Serbia-hosted elite championships.

Kellie Harrington, and the O’Rourke sisters, Lisa and Aoife, will all be in the ring later on Tuesday.