Dominant Daina Moorehouse destroys Russian to win Euro Youth GOLD

Bray light flyweight Daina Moorehouse has won European Youth gold this afternoon following a sensational display in Italy.

The Enniskerry BC teenager, European Junior gold medalist last year, dominated Russian Ksenia Becshastnova to claim a unanimous decision win and top the podium in Roseto.

Despite ceding a massive height advantage, Moorehouse showed perfect range and speed to unleash heavy shots on her long opponent throughout the battle of the southpaws.

Moorehouse began like a train, getting inside and landing countless big backhands left which had the Russian shook and cut to the side of her right eye from a punch.

A slower paced second saw Moorehouse stand off, inviting Becshastnova on and countering with aplomb, worsening the cut and forcing a doctor’s inspection.

It was more of the same in the third as the Wicklow youngster controlled centre ring and her opponent essentially ran out of ideas.

Going to the scorecards for what seemingly was a formality – with Becshastnova in tears – a split decision was somehow ruled. Thankfully it was Moorehouse deemed the winner on a 4-1 verdict.

Three 30-27 scores were tallied for the Irishwoman alongside a 29-28, with a 29-28 to Russia from the Turkish judge defying belief.

Moorehouse, who will still be a Youth-level boxer in 2019, now will go straight into preparations for the World Youth Championships in Hungary this Summer.

Unfortunately, women’s light flyweight is not a weight contested at the Youth Olympics which are set for Argentina this Autumn.

There are three more Irish boxers in action today – Leitrim featherweight Dearbhla Rooney (v Slovakia @ 1:55pm), Louth light welter Evelyn Igharo (v England @2:30pm), and Sligo flyweight Dean Clancy (v England at 5:15pm).

All times Irish time.