A phenomenal day of finals action in the 2015 EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships saw ten gold medal bouts entertain boxing fans all over the world from the superb venue in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Gold medal winners in Samokov

• 49 kg: Vasilii Egorov, Russia
• 52 kg: Daniel Asenov, Bulgaria
• 56 kg: Michael Conlan, Ireland
• 60 kg: Joseph Cordina, Great Britain
• 64 kg: Vitaliy Dunaytsev, Russia
• 69 kg: Eimantas Stanionis, Lithuania
• 75 kg: Petr Khamukov, Russia
• 81 kg: Joseph Ward, Ireland
• 91 kg: Evgeny Tishchenko, Russia
• +91 kg: Filip Hrgovic, Croatia

Light Flyweight (49 kg) Final

Russia’s EUBC European Olympic Hopes 19-22 Champion and National Elite Champion Vasilii Egorov was seeded number one in Samokov, and lived up to his high expectations with a final victory over Great Britain’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner Harvey Horn.

Egorov opened the first round with much success, before his 20-year-old British opponent adapted to the level of the high quality bout.

A successful third round for Egorov saw the Russians star use his jab effectively, and his overall performance resulted in gold.

Flyweight (52 kg) Final

Bulgaria’s Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympian Daniel Asenov is only 18-years-old, but clinched Flyweight gold in front of his home fans by defeating Great Britain’s Muhammad Ali.

Asenov lost to Ali in the final of the EUBC European Youth Continental Championships, but atoned for that loss with a superb victory in their rematch.

The Bulgarian was the youngest competitor in the entire championships, and his youthful exuberance and clever tactics earned him a unanimous decision victory, and the gold medal.

Bantamweight (56 kg) Final

Ireland’s London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist and World Series of Boxing standout Michael Conlan claimed another gold medal in Bulgaria, as he beat Great Britain’s  Qais Ashfaq.

The 24-year-old Irish boxer also beat Ashfaq in the final of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and his overall performance in Bulgaria ensured he took home the Best Boxer Trophy as well.

This was Ireland’s second successive European gold in this weight class after John Joseph Nevin triumphed in 2013.

Lightweight (60 kg) Final

Great Britain had five finalists on the final day of competition, but only Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Joseph Cordina was able to secure a gold medal.

The 24-year-old boxer has boxed impressively through the entire tournament, and his footwork was exceptional to watch in his final against Georgia’s EUBC European Youth Continental Championships silver medallist 22-year-old Otar Eranosyan.

Light Welterweight Final (64 kg)

Russia’s Vitaliy Dunaytsev claimed the gold medal at the 2008 EUBC European Junior Continental Championships in Sofia, and has now added elite gold after defeating Great Britain’s former AIBA Junior World Champion younger Pat McCormack.

A strong tactical display from Dunaytsev was effective throughout, and his stamina and strength proved to be the main difference-makers against his talented young rival.

Welterweight (69 kg) Final

Lithuania’s Eimantas Stanionis has recently been competing well in AIBA Pro Boxing, and returned to AIBA Open Boxing competition with a gold medal in Bulgaria.

Stanionis turns 21-years-old next week, and celebrated his upcoming birthday with an amazing performance in the Welterweight final against Belarus’ Pavel Kastramin.

The brave Kastramin became injured in the final round, which led to the ringside doctor stopped their contest when Stanionis was leading clearly after the first two rounds.

Middleweight (75 kg) Final

Russia’s Petr Khamukov was the number one ranked Middleweight in Season V of the World Series of boxing, and defeated Poland’s WSB star Tomasz Jablonski in a magnificent Middleweight final.

The 24-year-old Russian is one of the most powerful boxers in his weight decision, and his clubbing shots and quick combinations allowed him to win all of the rounds against Jablonski.

Light Heavyweight (81 kg) Final

Ireland’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Joseph Ward won gold in this event four years ago at the age of 17,  and has now repeated his triumph after outpointing  Netherlands’ Peter Mullenberg.

Both Ward and Mullenberg had established a tremendous pedigree in this event, and though the Dutch boxer was brave in his attacks, Ward was faster and more skilful.

Heavyweight (91 kg) Final

Russia’s Evgeny Tishchenko eliminated Bulgaria’s London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist Tervel Pulev in a great semi-final, and achieved a walkover victory in the Heavyweight Final when Poland’s Igor Jakubowski was unable to compete.

Super Heavyweight (+91 kg) Final

Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic is on a tremendous undefeated streak following his exploits in both the World Series of Boxing and AIBA Open Boxing competitions, and continued his winning run with a final victory over Germany’s AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Florian Schulz.

Hrgovic controlled the bout from the first round, and claimed his nation’s first ever continental title since Croatia became an independent country.

Championship Facts

Russia topped the medal standings in the 2015 EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria just ahead of Ireland, Great Britain and hosts Bulgaria.

A magnificent total of 19 nations were able to win at least one medal in the Championships to signify the strength in depth of the European continent.

Poland secured its first medal since 2008, while Lithuania claimed its first gold medal since 1993.

Quote of the day

“All the hard work I have put in the last few months has paid off and it is an amazing feeling. I had to keep the distance, hit and move, and that was my tactic in the final. I think my punches had more meaning, I felt I was better boxer and I wanted it more in the end. I will have a week off to celebrate my title and relax with my family, before I start preparations for the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships,” said Great Britain’s Joseph Cordina.

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