Michaela Walsh takes European bronze after split-decision semi-final defeat

Michaela Walsh has won bronze at the European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria after losing her featherweight semi-final to Hungary's Vladislava Kukhta. BBC Sport reported that the 33-year-old Belfast boxer was beaten on a 4-1 split decision, with a strong final round unable to overturn the advantage her opponent had built earlier in the contest.

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Four judges scored the bout 29-28 for Kukhta, while the fifth returned the same score in Walsh's favour. The result gives Walsh a third podium finish this year, following silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Strandja Tournament, but ends her bid to reach the European final.

The opening round was cautious, with neither boxer immediately imposing herself. Kukhta, a Kazakhstan-born southpaw representing Hungary, took that round on three of the five scorecards. According to the BBC's account, she found opportunities for straight left hands, while Walsh had success when she moved forward quickly and landed at close range.

The second round proved particularly costly for Walsh. As the pace rose, Kukhta threw more punches, while Walsh worked more selectively, seeking to encourage her opponent to lead and then counter. All five judges awarded the round to Kukhta, leaving the Hungarian ahead on three cards and level on the other two going into the final round.

Walsh responded in the third, opening with a successful right hand and landing repeatedly as she tried to recover the deficit. Kukhta continued to connect with her left rather than simply protect her lead. Four judges preferred Walsh's work in the round, but that late response was not enough to change the overall result.

Speaking to Boxing Ireland in comments carried by BBC Sport, Walsh said her approach had been to draw Kukhta into counters. She described the contest as cagey and said the opening round had been important in shaping it. Despite the defeat, she expressed pride in her performance and in continuing to compete until the end.

Walsh also reflected on the gap between her international podium appearances in 2023 and this year's medals. She said she had retained belief through that difficult period and identified next year's Olympic qualifier as her next objective.