Sean McComb secures second medal for Irish boxers

Unanimous victory for Belfast fighter, oozing confidence and winning all three rounds

Ireland’s Sean McComb is into the semi-finals of the European Games. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ireland’s Sean McComb is into the semi-finals of the European Games. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

So that's a European Games bronze medal number two - at the very least - for the Irish boxers in Baku, this one thanks to Sean McComb and his lightweight quarter-final win over Yasin Yilmaz from Turkey.

The 22 year-old from Belfast secured another unanimous victory, oozing confidence in the ring and winning all three rounds. Yilmaz, only 20, threw everything at the Irishman, although there was no matching energy of McComb, who now faces the number one ranked Azerbaijani Albert Selimov in the semi-final, set for Friday afternoon.

Straight into the ring next for his quarter-final bout was Dean Walsh, nephew of Irish boxing coach Billy, who faced a light welterweight clash with Kastriot Sopa from Germany. This proved a lot more testing for the young Wexford fight, who lost the first round (30-27), but hit back in the second (30-27), despite getting a warning for leading with his head.

Then, in the rousing final round, they matched each other punch for punch, before the anxious announcement - and a unanimous decision for the German.

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Still, with light flyweight Brendan Irvine already guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal, the Irish quest for further podium places continues at pace.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics