EUROPEAN WOMEN’S C’SHIPS QUARTER-FINALS

Michaela Walsh is back between the ropes for her third bout in four days at the European Elite Women’s Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria today.

The current European Union featherweight champion meets Helina Bruyevich of Belarus around 5pm (Irish time) this afternoon with at least a bronze medal up for grabs at the 11th edition of the tournament since 2001.

The Belfast-native, who beat Bruyevich in 2014, has won has already won two fights in Sofia this week, including a unanimous decision over Italy’s World Elite champion Alessia Mesiano.

Bernard Dunne, IABA High-Performance Director and the Irish team manager in Sofia, hailed the win.

Dublin lightweight Kellie Harrington cruised past Katerina Humlova of the Czech Republic yesterday and is in action in Saturday’s quarter-finals. Offaly welter Grainne Walsh bowed out to Russian southpaw Iaroslava Iakushina in the last 16 on Thursday.

Michaela Walsh and Harrington have both qualified for the 2019 European Games in Belraus by virtue of reaching the last-eight in Sofia as the top ten in their weights qualify.

Katie Taylor (six gold), Grace (bronze) and Desmond (bronze) have won Ireland’s medals at the European Elite Women’s Championships since in inaugural tournament in France in 2001.

Click here for today’s live stream.

The remaining quarter-finals will be decided tomorrow. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.