Dean Walsh pipped in a quality semi final has to settle for Bronze

Dean Walsh, pictured had to settle for bronze at the European Elite Champonships in Samokov, Bulgaria today despite a big performance against Russia’s Vitaly Dunaytev.

Both light-welters went all the way down to the wire this afternoon, with the fight in the balance – two of the judges had it level at the end of the second, one had the Russian southpaw ahead – right up to the bell, but the No. 2 seed got the decision 29-28,29-28,29-28.

It was a quality performance from the 21 year old in a quality clash. Experience was a factor in the end, but Walsh will take alot from his European Championships exploits going in the Worlds.

Earlier, Michael Conlan upgraded his bronze medal to at least silver after beating Francesco Maietta in the last-four.