Mick Conlan wins Ireland’s first medal at European Championships

Michael Conlan has guaranteed Ireland’s first medal of the European Championships by destroying Denmark’s Frederick Jensen in their quarter final today in Samokov, Bulgaria. The number one seed was rarely troubled by his awkward southpaw opponent and coasted to a unanimous decision win and a bronze medal.

The Belfast bantamweight began the first round in the southpaw stance, somewhat confounding his opponent, and the Clonard ABC man controlled the opening stanza with his right jab.

Conlan began to throw bigger shots in the second, scoring some lovely leads and counters, but the Dane was always a threat – moreso with his head than his fists.

Jensen flew out of the blocks like a bull in the final round, but Conlan was a more-than-able matador, evading most and countering with cleaner shots. Jensen went down twice during the round, both were ruled as slips although the first may have come from a punch from the dominant Olympic medalist.

The bout went to the scorecards and there was absolutely no doubt, with Conlan taking the fight on all three cards (30-27 x3).

The win has also secured him qualification for October’s World Championships in Qatar, and Conlan will now face Italy’s Francesco Maietta in the semi finals on Friday evening as he looks to, at least, match the silver he won at the 2013 European Championships.