Gallagher and Clancy Mantain Ireland’s 100 Percent Euro Start
Team Ireland recorded two key wins on the second day of boxing in the European Elite Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Jude Gallagher took on Maksym Bocarov of Slovakia in a contest driven by his technical, physical style of boxing. The bout went to the Tyrone man 5-0, scored: 28:29; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30.
The 2026 lightweight Commonwealth Games silver medalist,is in Last 16 action on Monday’s Afternoon Session, taking on France’s Lounes Hamraoi, a 2022 European medalist.
Speaking to Boxing Ireland’s Grainne Walsh after his win, Jude said “Feeling good to have the first one out of the way. Maybe a bit rusty. The first and second round (felt) a small bit rusty. Delighted to get off to a win; it’ll only get better from here.”
Gallagher has boxed at Strandja, World Boxing Cup Brazil, the Commonwealth Games and other tournaments this year and adds: “I’ve had loads of tournaments this year. The only one I missed was probably the World Boxing Cup in China. Its good coming off one tournament and straight in to a camp for another one, because you know you’ll only get better, sharper -everything will adjust more; you’re fine tuning, really. Its good coming from one competition into another and rather than having a break and then starting fresh and trying to get fit again. It’s good.”
Speaking about his father, John, who has travelled to Sofia for the championships, Jude says “He follows me everywhere, wherever I box. Any part of the world, he’ll be there. My cousin Tony is over, too…The support from him is fantastic.’
Dean Clancy left it all in the ring in claiming his opening European Elite Championship win. He contested against Germany’s Mohamed Siala in a tight, high-tempo bout, coming away with a 3-2 win. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 29:28; 28:29; 28:29; 29:28.
The Sligo favourite is back in action on Sunday, against France’s Hugo Grau at Last 16 stage. Clancy and Grau last met, competitively, in the Ireland V France international in the National Stadium in February, and sparred during Boxing Ireland’s Commonwealth Games Camp in Belfast in July.
Speaking to Boxing Ireland’s Grainne Walsh at ringside, Clancy said “Happy to get the ball rolling now. The first one is always the hardest. I was down after the first round, I didn’t panic, it was a slight bit of a slow start but I came out in the second and third and found my range. It was hard-fought in the last round, punch-for-punch at a few stages.”
