Mayo's Shannon Sweeney wins light flyweight gold at European Boxing Championships

Mayo’s Shannon Sweeney wins light flyweight gold at European Boxing Championships

MAYO’S SHANNON SWEENEY was crowned European champion on Saturday afternoon as she took gold in the light flyweight division in Belgrade.

Sweeney got the nod on four of the five judges’ cards for a split-decision victory against  Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova.

Advertisement

The St Anne’s BC, Westport fighter — who won bronze in the 48kg division at the 2022 championships in Budva — claimed her first European elite title, as well as the $15,000 first prize on offer.

Four of the judges scored the bout 29-28 in Sweeney’s favour, while the remaining judge scored it 29-28 to Chukanova.

It was the Bulgarian who did just enough to shade a close-fought opening round, but Sweeney fought her way back into the contest with a strong second round before doing enough in the final three minutes to secure her victory.

Roscommon’s Aoife O’Rourke fights later on Saturday as she bids to become a four-time continental champion, adding another gold to her 2019 and 2022 European Championship titles, and her 2023 European Games victory.