GOLD MEDAL ALERT – Fabolous Bobbi Flood wins European Gold

Bobbi Flood strutted confidently into the European winner’s circle in Sofia today.

The Cabra fighter ensured his first international medal will be a gold one, as he beat Gabriele Rontani Guidi of Italy in the European Youth (U18) final.

The 17-year-old co Ireland captain made it look easy and eased his way to the top of the podium, producing the kind of performance that should put him in the frame for Fighter of the Tournament.

Flood was calm, composed, and clinical against a fancied Italian. The seven-time Irish champ won the first round across the board and took the second and third wide thanks to the fact he dished out two standing eight counts.

It was a sensational finish to what has been a breakout tournament for the Cabra starlet. Amazingly, it’s a tournament he can enter next year.

The opening minute was, as to be expected, tentative, but Flood appeared the aggressor, pushing his foe back to the ropes and picking shots patiently.

🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇#TeamIreland’s Co-Captain Bobbi is the new 71kg European Youth champion following a unanimous decision victory over 🇮🇹 in the final pic.twitter.com/eVIU7t2vhh

— IABA (@IABABOXING) April 21, 2022

The Italian let fly from the back of the room and landed some wildly midway through the session. However, Flood always responded positively and one crisp one-two and a straight left caught the eye in particular before a round, that he won across the board, finished in the calm manner in which it started.

Guidi tried to put it on the Cabra teen in the second but Flood had the footwork and mentality to cope – and just to make sure he remained in the ascendancy he hurt his final foe with a beautiful one-two, forcing the referee to administer a standing eight count.

Now full of confidence, the 16-year-old cruised through the second half of the round and was so impressive three of the judges scored it 10-8 in his favour.

Guidi made his last stand in the final round and was nearly sat down when doing so. The extremely talented Irish prospect again retained composure under aggressive attack and walked the Italian light-middleweight onto a standing eight inducing shot. With both feet nigh on the top of the podium, Flood was able to put on a show down the stretch, proving too good for Guidi and impressing up and until the final bell.

The result was never in doubt but Flood fell to his knees overcome when it was read out before going to thank his teammates who supported him through the win.

Team Ireland Squad:
48kg: Georgia McGovern, Setanta : Bronze Medallist              

48kg: Patsy Joyce, Olympic: Bronze Medallist                          

50kg: Katie O’Keefe, Kanturk : Bronze Medallist                  

51kg: Adam McKenna, Holy Family          

52kg: Esther Lambe, Setanta

54kg: Shakira Donoghue, Templemore 

54kg: Gavin Ryan, Ratoath                        

57kg: Yasmin Meredith, Corinthians: Team Captain        

57kg: John Donoghue, St Michaels Athy

60kg: Jason Nevin, Olympic

63kg: Winnie McDonagh, Neilstown : Bronze Medallist               

63.5kg: Tom McDonnell, Docklands                             

66kg: Gabrielle Mongan, Whitechurch          

67kg: Jim Donovan, Our Lady of Lourdes

70kg: Laura Moran, St Annes: Finalist  

71kg: Bobbi Flood, Cabra: Team Captain: Gold Medallist                                

75kg: Emma Keating, Paulstown                            

75kg: Joshua Olaniyan, Jobstown                             

80kg: Ryan Murphy, Neilstown                             

81kg: Dearbhla Tinnelly, Clann Naofa: Gold Medallist  

81+kg: Cliona Darcy, Tobar Pheadair: Finalist     

86kg: Nathan Ojo, Esker

92kg: David J McDonagh, Olympic               

92+kg: Bernie Cawley, St David’s, Naas

Team Manager:          

Anna Moore 

Coaches:                     

James Doyle 

Liam Cunningham 

Aoife Hennigan 

Gerard McDaid 

Jim O’Neill

R & J:                          

Martin O’Neill