2013 Boxing: European Amateur Championships

Amateur Championships here on the BBC and it is in the unlikely

setting of Minsk in Belarus that the road to the Rio Olympics gets

underway. It is a new look squad with familiar faces, but a lot of

Luke Campbell is the Olympic champion.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

And they come out in favour of Yes, with three of the Olympic team

turning professional including Luke Campbell and Anthony Agogo, it left

Andrew Selby and Josh Taylor boxing in Belarus. There is a couple of

familiar faces, I am delighted to be joined by two gold medallists from

the London Games. It is Anthony Joshua who won gold with that famous

comeback in the last round of the Olympic final.

And alongside Anthony, we have the first woman in history to win an

Olympic boxing gold medal and that's Nicola Adams who has three World

Championship medals to her name as well as a European card. And she is

still smiling about that moment. We have Steve who has been ring side as

well as following the likes of Nicola and Anthony. I am sure an MBE

is on its way to you. We are almost coming to the first anniversary of

the London Olympics and to think what has gone on, film premieres and

going to Rio and Buckingham Palace with the Queen, how o would you go

about describing the last yoer?le year? Absolutely epic. We have been

here there, and everywhere. And being on various TV shows. We did

Super Stars which was really, really cool. That was really cool to do.

Has been an amazing time and if you said that was going to happen after

winning gold, he would never have believed you.

Anthony? A positive thing in my life. It is great to go back to my

who local clubs and see the kids that I used to train with and the

praise they give me. They see I was a normal kid and they can go on and

achieve it. My family are proud. All in all, it has been a positive time

the last 12 months. It is talked about that this is the

start of a new cycle, isn't it, Stephen? It is about looking at the

new talent coming through? Well, the first Europeans after every Olympics

are the hardest Europeans that exist and the Europeans are hard. They are

one of the hardest tournaments to win because of the soviet boxers

boxers they can ALL: Come in and what you have in

the situation is you go post Olympics and it is a miracle we

managed to get two Olympians, generally we have one or none. It

was nearly two or three guys. train with the new ta he lent coming

through -- new talent coming through. There is lots to be excited

about? Yes, Jack Bateson, I was sparring with him up to the Games

and he is a good talent to have on the squad.

The same with me, I was in the guys at France at their last training

camp and training alongside Jack Bateson and the new faces and josh

Josh Taylor and and Andrew Selby. I know you would love to be there,

but injury put pay to that? It has. I am back in the gym. How was the

foot after the operation? Snaol I'm bouncing and running and dance

dancing I'm doing it all again. It is terrific if he was on the

trampoline, but he is a boxer! One of the things that's coming through,

almost every single weight we have got two or three boxers and that's

true. If it was the same going into the Olympics, a year out from the

pim licks, hand on heart -- Olympics, I couldn't have told you

who would go to the Olympics. Several of them had no chance.

Anthony Agogo could have gone on holiday. He came up on the outside.

It is not full of familiar names, but they pull stuff out. In terms of

winning medals at the competitions, this is the toughest of the lot,

isn't it? It is the toughest. If you look at the 60s and 70s and 80s, we

went three or four Europeans. Eight year cycle without a medal. Once we

sent 27 boxers, Great Britain and Ireland, and we came back with one

medal. This is a tough tournament. Thank you. Well, Andrew Selby was

the British team's big hope of a four in a tough semi-final. Selby

made it through to the final. He will face Michael Conlan.

Both fighters are looking forward to the final when they spoke to Leon

Mann. You are on the cusp of making

history. Do you think about that? think I made it anyway because I

have had four medals and four Europeans, but if I get a gold

medal, it is a bit of pressure, but I know what pressure is about now. I

went to the London Olympics. I think I'm good enough to win gold.

In terms of how you felt in your career, how confident are you going

into the later stages here? always confident. I have always been

a confident person. It doesn't matter who I'm fighting. It is just

me on the day. I know if I put in the peril formance, I can beat --

put in the performance, I can beat anyone.

Talk to me about Michael. I'm sick of fighting him.

Why do you say you're sick of fighting him? He is tough and he is

very fit. We have had two fights and it could have gone either way both

times, but I come out the better. Does that give you the edge? You

have won those two fights, do you believe that gives you the edge, do

you think he thinks about that? he is going to want to beat me up

morement of I know Andrew quite well. We had

close fights. I'm looking forward to get it on again and hopefully I will

come out inwither this time. They have been close, but if we

fight this time, I'm going to have to prove I'm the best because I've

trained really hard. I need to set the record, it is the

first fight in the World Championships and the world final,

he beat me by a point. The last fight, it was close again, but he

took it. Could history be in the making as

well as Andrew Selby becomes the first British fighter to retain an

amateur gold, he is against the man from Belfast, Michael Conlan. Your

The final word of encourage encouragement. What a contest this

promises to be because the boxer wearing red, Andrew Selby

representing Wales is the reigning European championship Gold

Medallist. He is the tournament number one seed. The number one

ranked in Europe and the world and the world's number one ranked boxer

and he is taking a a man wearing blue, Michael Conlan who is almost

as highly decorated. A tournament number two seed and number three in

Europe and world number three as well, not to mention the fact that

he is the Olympic bronze medallist from London 2012 and that man

Michael Conlan is representing Ireland in what proves to be a

terrific third encounter. The first round in a contest that both

competitors are evenly matched is crucial because it dictates the

tactics for the rest of the contest. You heard Andrew Selby's corner say

he has got to win this first round and at the moment, it is anyones.

They are both boxing well and Conlan is getting through with the better

shots early on. Selby continuing to switch his

stance. He is a really adept switch hitter operating out of both the

Southport and orthodox stands. He gets through with a good right-hand.

He goes to the body effectively as well, but Conlan, almost his equal.

Conlan having a final word at this point. Selby is a very talented

boxer indeed. He is probably the most talented in the GB squad. He is

a natural switch hitter. He will switch to orthodox and he can do

both styles as equally as well and his range of movement and his timing

when he is doing it, I think he sometimes does it without even

realising he is doing it. He is that ta he lented. -- he is that

talented. It is the third time these two guys

met. The first time was during the World Championships. Selby said that

in each of the two connest tests either -- contests either man could

have had his hand raised. This is how their two previous encounters

have been - nothing it as we approach 30 seconds to go in this

opening round. Conlan coming forward and going to

both body and head. Selby catching him immediately. Conlan coming back

and each time somebody has their Ono fencive and they are met instantly.

High skill level. High intelligence being dem straitds in the boxing

range -- demonstrated in the bobbing ring between -- boxing ring.

What a terrific opening round in this flyweight gold medal bout. As

competitive as we anticipated it would be between two of the best in

the business! Yes, some good work from both boxers. Conlan tends to

work better on the inside. But Selby works better at long-range. His

movement is excellent on the outside. A close round to score and

there is Selby bringing Conlan on to the shot there. The Irishman had the

better of the work on the inside, but just gets caught there with the

shot from Selby. Well, the judges, no unanimity

there. Two of the three seeing it for Selby. The first judge seeing it

in favour of Conlan and that's a fair reflection of how the first

round played out. It was either way and Selby just sneaked ahead.

We move into the second round of this 52 kilogramme flyweight final

and Andrew Selby is looking to defend his title from the Olympic

bronze medal from London 2012. These two boxers met over five three

minute rounds without a vest and without a head guard during the

World Series Boxing Competition and it is one of the best contests I had

the privilege of seeing and they produced an encounter that's living

up in terms of standard and quality of the first two in their attempts

to be crowned European champion. A good left-hand by Selby. Conlan back

on the front foot. Selby's elusiveness causing him to miss.

What is evident here is Selby's movement. The movement is key to his

success. Once he holds his feet, he brings Conlan into the contest and

when he is hitting and moving, he is difficult to catch indeed and that's

what Conlan just can't grasp. He can't get to grips with that

movement from Selby. So Selby he must hit and move and Conlan has to

drag him in and hold his feet. Terrific reflexes both the boxers

possess. Selby gets through with a good jab and takes the straight shot

up from Conlan as well. An due Selby can dart in and -- Andrew Selby can

dart in and out. Conlan is adept at switching his stance and he is

shot as a southpaw. Now Selby has got to change things. Conlan scored

with a right jab. Terrific action here inside the final minute of the

second round. The gold medal at stake. Andrew Selby looking to

defend the European title he won in Turkey two years ago. Conlan

continues to be in hot pursuit of Andrew Selby. But look at the way

Selby can skip left and right, in and out, to rhythmic movement.

Changing stance and direction. success that Conlan had at the start

of this round is being rubbed off now. Selby is having a great last

half of the round. Selby is having more success in the last minute or

so. You can hear the instruction from his corner, move, moved. And

that is going to be a key tactic during the third and final round.

The second round, pick your style, what do you prefer? Selby was a

little bit square, he got caught a little bit coming in. But good

movement again from Selby. It is nip and tuck. Both giving each other

some good shots, especially with the right hand from Selby and that

exchange, Conlan played his part as well. A close round the school. --

close round to score. The final moments of instruction to these two

highly experienced, high quality third and final round in the men's

52 kilograms flyweight final. Michael Conlan, the Olympic bronze

medallist, he lost to the eventual gold medallist, Ramirez of the

was off in a flash to his left. one 's -- Conlan 's corner would

have told and he is behind. He has got to pull it round somehow. This

might suit Selby, he prefers boxers to come onto him. So Conlan is

getting a bit desperate, that might suit Selby. He has to do something,

he gets through the good right hand. Less than two minutes to go. The

gold medal at stake. Andrew Selby, to continue his terrific run. The

reigning European gold medallist. He was the number one boxer during the

World Series boxing tournament as well. Prodigiously talented. He

really is fulfilling the immense promise and potential he showed as a

youngster. Selby is just boxing better at range now and Conlan is

just struggling to make his opponent hold his feet and try and drag him

into detail to toe battle he must have to gain success. He is boxing

at range, Selby, he's keeping his distance. Conlan, impossible to

deter, impossible to discourage. boxing. These two boxers, operating

at a terrific pace as we're deep into the final round. European gold

at stake, they both know it. They have got to keep the shape. Selby,

cutting his opponent, it is those eye-catching shots which are the

difference again. They are catching the judges eyes, with those better

quality shots. Selby, holding up a club in celebration that he has

and compete right until the final bell. It has been another terrific

encounter between these two familiar adversaries. A warm embrace, which

is nice to see. But Andrew Selby is no doubt he has done enough to

successfully retain and defend his European championship gold. Again,

it is the third time these boxers have met, and it will be another

razorthin decision. Selby has perhaps just done enough coming into

this third and final round, it will be down to the judges. The official

the winner is, in the red corner, Andrew Selby. He has done it! He has

successfully defended his title with a split decision victory over his

this third encounter between these two boxers, to be crowned European

champion. Words can't express how I am feeling now. By have had a few

fights with him, he is the toughest I have thought. It was a split

decision, could have gone either way, just like the other two. I am

just glad I have got to gold medals. How difficult did you find it out

there? I thought I mixed the first two and I got tired at the end, he

comes on strong. That is boxing, I will be back. How much confidence do

you take from this huge achievement, going forward? I was confident

anywhere, my main aim now is to get a gold in the world Championships. I

went there last year and are lost by one point for the gold, thought I

had done enough to win. But I will be 11 going into day now, I will be

the one to watch. Britain have won five European gold

since 1961. Andrew Selby has won two of them back-to-back! How big the

achievement is it? He is also won two bronze medals as well. He has

been part of the elite programme GB boxing has since just before the

2008 Olympics, our system is the envy of the world. You saw there

with Selby, I was talking about it with Nick and Anthony come he

doesn't know what he's going to do. You can't teach some of the stuff

that Andrew Selby does. I was saying, look at this, and Anthony

were saying, how has he done that? ! You can't do it! It is that hard! It

is beyond extensive. A hugely impressive performance. That is to

reach hugely tight contests between him and Michael Conlan. It shows all

the hard work in the gym is paying off. He is a good, top-quality,

tricky boxer. He can box orthodox as well as southpaw, it is hard enough

boxing an opponent in one stance he is always giving you guessing. He is

a good thinking boxer. He is always raising his game. One point! Nothing

in it. Do you spar with him? How tricky is it to be on the receiving

end of that switching? Really tricky. You don't know where he's

going to be, you throw a punch and he is of the other side of the ring!

You are following him around, he is that good. He wins! As a box as

well, looking at what he brings to the table, we shouldn't be that

surprised. He has been unbeaten in 14 bouts. Should we be that

surprised? Yes and no, he has been on top of his game, for a fighter to

stay at that level, that is what Andrew Selby is doing. At the same

time, I think he is in these tough championships as well, nothing is

ever guaranteed in boxing. So he is going out there and proving himself

time and again and that takes a lot from within, in his personal life,

even though he is on top of his game is and it looks easy, I'm sure he's

going through a lot to be able to achieve history. What next for

Andrew? He has signed up for this APB pro boxing, what is that about?

I would like to be able to tell you! But I'm not too sure myself! It is

something that the people who final from the Europeans to the Olympics,

they have something called APB, and the men that sign up for this will

get paid, they will box eight, ten and 12 round contests. It will be

continent based, they will box against Africa, against Asia, and

against the Americans, it will go towards... He could have 20 contests

between now and reopen and he could still go to Rio. This starts in

January. It was meant to start in April. It is a bit behind schedule.

It might work fantastically and it might flop, it is a gamble. If he

has signed up, will we not see him at the world Championships? This is

the crazy thing, or you can go in the world Championships, you can go

in the Europeans, you can even go in your old domestic championships as

well as the APB over 12 rounds. I wish I could explain it, as I say!

Thanks for muddying the water for us! Just to let you know, just

Taylor, also fought for Britain in London, lost in the second round.

But in the light flyweight category there was a new face on Britain 's

team as Jack Bateson made it to the next round where he faced

headed this third and final round in this 49 kilograms light flyweight

semi-final. He has lost the first two rounds unanimously from all the

judges ringside against the tournament 11 C, European number one

and world number one, David Ayrapetyan from Russia. He has kept

his composure throughout the contest. Just 19 years of age,

Ayrapetyan, he has been in and out performer in the English team in

this performance. He has only been in the GB podium scored a few

months, he has done exceptionally well, he is the baby of the team.

This team has been deeply affected, with people coming to the

professional ranks, Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo, so it is a rebuilding

process. Jack Bateson here is flying the flag for the English team.

first step in an international senior career for Jack Bateson, he

turned 19 during the course of this tournament. The two-time national

champion. The reigning British champion from 2012 is well past P

has made the decision to the senior ranks seamlessly. He has guaranteed

himself a place on the pony. He is emulating the achievement of Charlie

Edwards in Turkey. The path, as we build on the road towards Rio in 26

team, very much in place. -- in 2016. He is boxing well here,

Bateson, a lot of straight shots, that is what he has got to practice

here against this tricky Russian who comes in at different angles. He

throws shots from all sorts of different directions. It is a great

learning experience for him. Who would've thought he would be boxing

number one Russian, present number one in the world at the beginning of

this year, it is an incredible achievement. He is doing really well

in this contest. Acquitting himself very well indeed. A medallist last

year, Ayrapetyan. He won this title in 2006 will stop hugely

experienced. He knows his way around the international block. The ten

second clapper sounds in this third and final round. It has kept his

composure very well throughout this contest. He has. No disgrace at all,

he can hold his head-stop -- hold He is delitds with his boxer and so

David Ayrapetyan, the European number one and world number one,

goes through to contest the gold medal, but what a brilliant perform

performance for baby faced Jack Bateson. He is just 19 years of age

and he earns himself a place on a medal podium as a light-flyweight

medal podium as a light-flyweight bronze medallist.

I'm gutted, but at the end of the day he is number one seed. I could

see the strength difference. I could see he was older than me. Once I

have a bit of strength, I will be able to keep up. Yeah, I'm

devastated. It was a big ask today? I put a lot of pressure on myself,

but I always want to win, but I suppose that's the game. You have to

lose and it will only make me stronger. I will be back definitely

and the Worlds a the end of this year and I will come back and beat

that lad. He is disappointed. He was only

promoted to the podium squad two months ago. He is only just 19 now

and you can see that he is starting to fill out. This kid is a super tea

lent and he is not short of confidence. Who knows he won't -- he

knows he won't win a gold medal at the worlds. He is looking at Rio, he

has been looking a at Rio since 2008. I went up to his club and I

said do you want my awe owe graph and he -- autograph and he goes, "

From one legend to another legend." He is backing himself which is

impressive. The experience he has got, it will be invaluable for him?

I wonder what tournaments he has come off the back of? To go to his

first major tournament with two months on the podium squad is a test

for himself mentally and physically. He has gone in there and put up a

great contest and he knows the tweaks and the changes he has to

make in order to go to the worlds and compete with these guys and go

on to better things. Nicola, you spar with him. What's

that like? He is really tall for the weight. He is 5'6" or five foot

seven. He has really arms and good reach. Good hand speed. A bit of

power as well. Well, we are all good from Leeds, aren't we?

LAUGHTER You would say that clearly!

The future for him looks brilliant, doesn't it? Yeah, definitely. We

should be excited for what Jack Bateson should offer? He is a

cracking lad. He is always giving 110% in the gym. He is trying to run

the fastest and throw the most punches. He gives 110% in everything

he does. Anthony, I know you like his

attitude particularly in training? What it is with Jack, not that I am

a coach or anything. He always has his bottle of water with him. Always

stretching because I'm big guy I see how important stretching is, I

always see him stretching as well. I see the little things he is doing

after training and you know, it pays off. It does pay off and he is going

to keep on improving and improving and this is where he is going to go.

Imauto ImI'm sure he will get to the top. In the second semi-final, it

was Ireland's Paddy Barnes in action. The Belfast man looking to

regain the gold he won in the Europeans back in 1010. We join in

at the -- 2010. We join in at the Billy Walsh has done a good job

stemming that blood from the nose of Paddy brarns as we move into the

third and the final round of this light-flyweight semi-final. Paddy

Barnes, wearing blue, the tournament number two seed taking a on Alizada.

Paddy Barnes missed that tournament after winning the title in 2010. He

missed 2011 through injury. He wasn't given the opportunity to

defend his gold. Paddy Barnes is ahead and Alizada knows that. What I

like about Barnes, he thinks about his defence and keeps the guard nice

and high and the elbows tucked in. He takes a lot of shots on his arms

and elbows and he counter attacks. His beats his opponent with sneaky

little shots as his opponent is coming forward. He is accurate with

his work and has damage to the nose, but he is ahead here. Indeed, the

referee keeping a close eye on that nose. It is really one of the best

amateur boxers out there in this flyweight division. Two time Olympic

bronze medal and European champion in 2010. Commonwealth Gold Medallist

in Delhi 2010 as well. The only major tournament where he is missing

podium hardware is the World Championships. He will be hoping to

put that right later on. There you see that nose just smearing it away

with his glove. It has been giving trouble since the quarter-final

stages. He took damage on the nose from earlier contests. It is just

his style. He is there to be hit and also Paddy Barnes, the way he stands

there, but he is trying to put great work and combinations are going in,

but he is putting on a finish here. Paddy Barnes is well ahead. .

Beautiful combination from the rapid fist of Paddy Barnes and the referee

calling up the doctor. Sending Barnes to a neutral corner to have

the doctor inspect the damage to this nose. This is amateur boxing

and not professional boxing so there is a tendency to call things off,

but Barnes remaining concentrated. Another rapid straight punching

combination of three or four punches, keeping Alizada on the ends

of them. Barnes really finishing this in highlight real fashion. Now

surely he has done enough to book his place in the gold medal bout

again. The closing bell sounds. Good job Paddy Barnes. A magnificent

exhibition of boxing, but there you see the damage to the nose once

more. The reigning Gold Medallist Alizada. Barnes put on an exhibition

during the third and final round that will surely see his hands

raises raised as the victor. Yeah, he finished in style, Paddy

Barnes. He put the combinations. Threes and fours were going in. It

is his accuracy and the work rate and he brought Alizada on to the end

of the shots. A fine display. Paddy Barnes flexes his by accepts

in celebration because he boked his place in the light-flyweight

division. He gets the opportunity to regain the title he never got the

regain the title he never got the opportunity to contest in the ring.

You got a lot of people worried when your nose went. How does it feel?

feels really bad. I can feel it moving too. I will get the doctor to

have a look at it to see what the story is. A conce a ahead of the

final? Ah, definitely. One jab and it got bust. It is not nice.

Is there a chance you won't fight in the film, do you think? -- final, do

you think? No. You will go ahead and fight? Yes.

You want it that much? It is only a nose.

You want it that much? I trained so hard. Of

Unfortunately, the nose injury was more certificate jus than he thought

and after x-rays it showed he had broken it which means he had to pull

out of the final. Huge disappointment then for Paddy.

did it in his first fight and he bled every fight and someone at ring

side, " We better look at that nose. ." Paddy was saying, " It is fine."

Because that's the way Paddy Barnes is. He came across as a character,

that's nothing. If you have been in Belfast with Paddy Barnes, I thought

Barry McGuigan was big in Belfast, he is the lord and master of all

Belfast and he won't mind me saying that! He is a phenomenal talent. He

clearly beat his opponent and didn't get the decision.

About Paddy, what a circumstances to have to leave the final particularly

when you are close to getting gold? I think these are things - the thing

in boxing, you get your nose broken and your nose bleeds and sometimes

it is not down to your technical ability etcetera. Even in the

Olympic final I had an elbow injury that I had to get numbed and me

going into that final, it wasn't that I couldn't move my feet or I

wasn't ready, it was down to injury. It is a shame, but it is for the

best for his future. It is all about in and out with the amateurs and

going into the worlds in October, I am sure his focus is let me get fit

for that 100%. Disappointment for Paddy Barnes, but

two more finals to come with Irish interest. After two golds at the

last Europeans, it carries on the She joins Ireland's boxing

immortals. She stands at the very pinnacle.

Some great faces there. Next up in Minsk, it was John Joe Nevin who won

silver at the Olympics and is in the final against mike Butsenko.

Representing Ireland, John Joe Nevin the Olympic silver medallist. In the

blue is Butsenko from the Ukraine. 9//11 prefers boxers coming forwards

him. -- Nevin prefers boxers coming towards him. He tends to land well

with that right-hand and Butsenko's feet are too slow. The pace is

suiting Nevin. He is in a comfort zone the way he is boxing here and

Butsenko has to quicken the feet up a bit.

He beat the world number one ranked 50 kilogramme boxer during the

course of the Olympic Games. He outpointed him. It was a terrific

contest Great Britain versus Ireland for Olympic gold. Butsenko got

through there. , it was a similar style. He brought him on to the

right hands. He is working again here, Nevin. He has got a relaxed

guard and that's why he is open to the right hook as Butsenko comes

forward, but it is the movement from Nevin that takes him out of range.

A good right-hand causing Nevin to retreat. Butse in, ko contesting his

first European senior championship. He really has had an impressive run

to this gold medal bout. Ousting the number three seed. Beautiful

movement from Nevin again who was using his advantage in foot speed to

right hand, Butsenko. You see a lot plenty of attacks, he was left on

the end of a beautiful jab. He is given the distance here. He is

bringing his opponent onto that right hand and left hook

boxing from Nevin. Up off his stool, ready for work, as is Butsenko, as

we move into the second round in this 56 kilograms gold-medal bout,

the bantamweight decision. Nevin has become the second round in similar

fashion, just floating backwards and snaking out a straight shot,

reddening the face of his opponent, who is impossible to deter.

judgement of distance from Nevin is excellent, his timing is very good,

but because of the slow feet of his opponent, he is just being allowed

to land at the right hand. The pace is definitely suiting Nevin, that is

what Butsenko has got to do, try and push Nevin back onto those robes,

just restrict his movement a little bit. -- onto those robes. For me,

he's totally in control here. the number -- he ousted the

tournament number three seed, Butsenko. It was something of an

upset. He did it using this hustling, bustling tactic, but he is

reduced to chasing shadows, such is the elusive movement of the Nevin.

John Joe Nevin is boxing beautifully. He is well on his way

to championship gold here in the European tournament, to add to the

Olympic silver and two world championship bronze is that he has

as well. -- bronzes. If he gets close enough, Butsenko, he is trying

to land a right hook and with Nevin 's left hand so low, if he moves

that way, he will walk onto the shot. If he moves to his right

committee moves away from the right hook, that is his preferred movement

periods during this second round, when he is on the move, the

advantage in foot speed and movement, he appears imperious. He

is reducing Butsenko to flailing punches that invariably fall short.

The second one did go through, as Nevin had nowhere to go. That is

what he has to do, Butsenko, double up the attacks and put more pressure

on him. Nevin has slowed things down with the feet, he is very good at

doing that, making the opponents box to his pace. All too often, Butsenko

has been met by a reply and a risk -- riposte from Nevin, who hit him

that left hook, Butsenko trying to land with the right hook, wasn't too

far away. He landed to right hands, that is when you double up the

go. Fifth six kilograms bantamweight gold-medal bout. John Joe Nevin, the

bronze medallist, three minutes away from earning a European champ

silver medallist from Russia, but here, in the final he is boxing

superbly. He is keeping his composure terrifically well in the

face of some naked attrition from Butsenko, who got through. -- naked

aggression. Butsenko, just sustaining a bit of pressure there,

he is getting closer and closer to Nevin. Movement is the key for

Nevin. He has got to stay in attack -- in the centre of the ring. Look

out he slows it down. You can see the attacks coming, that is where he

is failing, he slows his feet down when Nevin slows his feet down.

Trying to pin Nevin onto the ropes once again. Halfway through this

third and final round. Butsenko, you see the edge in movement again,

causing him to punch nothing but add. It is great tactics from Nevin,

he knows he's in front, and then you just make the opponents come at you,

then you bring him onto the shot, that has been his tactic from the

word go and it has worked superbly well. The Irish have done their

homework. Approaching the final minute, as Butsenko continues in his

attempt to close the distance. Trying to just slow down the

movement of John Joe Nevin. He has had an eating moment of success but

they have been far too fleeting for the Ukrainian 's liking.

Demonstrating he is in complete control during this gold-medal bout,

Nevin. Well on his way to gold unless Butsenko can find a punch to

put his man on the floor and give him there for the count of ten. --

keep him there. His counterattacking has been excellent here. He is

beating his opponent of the punch, and that comes down to timing. Beats

into the shot, a great display from Nevin again. The shuffle in effect

once more. Something he has taken from the legendary Muhammad Arley.

The hands raised instantly in celebration from John Joe Nevin, he

knows that he has done enough to be crowned European champions after a

scintillating display against Butsenko of the Ukraine. A great

right hand there, lovely shuffle as well, really impressed with that at

the European number one becomes the European champion after Orient

display of boxing against Butsenko rounds in the back, with some

brilliant boxing, has seen him the final was middleweight Jason

Quigley who made it through -- the tournament 's number two seed.

He is ranked seven in the world, Juratoni, the reigning bronze

medallist from two years ago. And the number two seed, looking to

follow the form book and get himself under the gold-medal podium. This is

a tough contest for Jason Quigley, but I think you started reasonably

well. That was an example they are of a shot landed by Jason Quigley,

but he has good technique a tense to slip to his left and then throw this

overhand right -- he tends to slip to his left. It is a lively start

from the Richmond. A good combination from Jason Quigley, just

penetrating the guard. The combination of mid range punches was

effective as well. A good right-hand, the final punch of that

exchange. Quigley is picking his foot, he is a front foot type of

opponents. Strong, but he is there to be hit, gets caught with these

shots from Quigley as he is coming forward. Movement is the key from

Quigley. Juratoni has had most of success when he forces the Irishman

to stand still and then work pattern of this contest has been set

here in the opening round. Quigley is using his movement. Juratoni,

completely on the front foot, looking to wage war, to both head

and body of the Irishman. Here he has got him on the ropes once again,

trying to work away with shots to his rib cage. The ring position for

Jason Quigley is crucial. What he has got to do is stay and box in the

space of the centre of the ring. When he goes on the ropes, his feet

ten to go square. He got caught with a body shot, that was a good shot

from Juratoni. He has to be tighter to the guard, Jason Quigley. A round

of contrasting styles. When Quigley is using his feet effectively, he

appears incomplete control against Bob Dan Juratoni, but he had his

moments of success as well. He forced Quigley to the ropes and

forced him to come square. Juratoni, coming forward, but he gets caught

with a superb right hand. That was good movement. He finishes off the

sequence with that right hand, a good jab, gets caught with a single

75 kilograms metal weight final. -- middleweight. One macro, the

favourite, has come out blazing in this second round, he will be aware

he has dropped the first round against the Irishman -- Juratoni.

Juratoni, beginning to work over to both head and body. Quigley finally

retaliated. Before using his bid to get out of trouble. That was an

example of holding his feet on the ropes, he got caught with a couple

of the body shots. Juratoni is trying to get him onto the ropes,

target his body. He wants to slow Quigley down, that is what you do

against a moving boxer, you target the body. Quigley is back upon his

toes after being pinned to the ropes. When he uses his feet well

and snakes out long shots, he appears to be far more comfortable,

but look at Juratoni roughing it up, the revelry immediately just a that

the forearm is not a legal offensive weapon in boxing -- the revelry.

Quigley has had a juridical run to the reigning world champion. -- he

accounted for the number one seed, that was in a really hard-fought

semi-final. He was declared the unanimous winner. He finds himself

in a real hard-fought contest here against Juratoni, who continues to

pile on the pressure and come forward. Quigley is just beginning

to slow. Those body shots, perhaps taking a toll in this final bout.

That is what he has got to do, box at range, got to maintain a gap,

hold the centre of the ring and move This is the fourth bout for both

boxers. So fatigue will be a factor. But increasingly the exchanges

taking a place at close quarters and at centre ring. Quigley trying to

remain up on his toes and keep it long. Juratoni just bombing away

with that right. Quigley is really excellent. It is as if he is going

to lead and he pulls back and maintains the lap and ma man tans

his feet. He is straight punching. A hard fought second round. That was

a really intriguing session between those two boxers. Really hard

fought. Juratoni just coming forward and you sense perhaps having more

success during the course of that second round than he did in the

first. Yes, it is interesting to see how the judges score that. I think

Juratoni had the best work and this is the mistake he made here Quigley,

standing on the ropes and Juratoni working the body. Excellent work

here from the Romanian and Quigley moves off. Centre of the ring he is

totally different, but there on the inside, Juratoni has the best work,

but when the punches are straight, there is an example there in and out

from Quigley, the better work comes from the Irishman.

Well, two judges seeing it in favour of Juratoni as we enter the third

and final round of the middleweight championship bout in Minsk. There is

everything to box for in this third round. Quigley got his nose in

front. A unanimous decision in the first round. Two judges favouring

Juratoni during the second round. So delicately poised as we move into

the third and final session. The tournament number two seed, Bogdan

Juratoni, looking to add European championship gold to his medal

collection against Jason Quigley who has already upset two seeds en route

to this final. Look at how rough and physical it is getting. Lots of

mauling going on. A good right-hand over the top from Juratoni. Quigley

finding himself with his back turned to his opponent and that is illegal.

The referee intervened and the hostilities resume once more and

again, the head of Juratoni just being driven into the face along

with a fore forearm. A straight one, two is the combination that Quigley

must work on. It is the straight shots he has got to concentrate on.

Long-range work and qig and Quigley is in control.

The number two he seed Juratoni had a competitive hard run, but he

scores with a beautiful left right. It just stopped Quigley ins his

tracks and as we approach the final minute this contest is up for grabs

and in the balance. Look how keenly both the boxers are competing in an

effort to be crowned European champion with less than a minute to

go of this round. Quigley is on the floor. There was a hint of a punch

in there. I don't know whether the punch connected or not. Quigley

attempting to get his straight punches working once more. It is

entwined arms once more. The contest resumes. There is nothing in this

contest. It just takes a little bit of composure and the last 20 or 30

seconds and that's what Quigley has got to do is just stick to his

boxing and pick his shots well. There is nothing in this at all.

Both boxers competing with everything they have. Quigley just

looked over to his red corn corner as if to say, " How am I doing?"

Look at the Finnish he is producing, that both the boxers are producing.

As the closing bell sounds to conclude the middleweight

championship bout, Jason Quigley feels he has done enough. He took

the first round. He lost the second round and in round number three both

boxers let it all hang out and produced spirited competition in a

quest to become European medallist. Nip and tuck, isn't it? He gets

caught with the shot, Quigley. A split decision.

A split decision. Jason Quigley let's out a roar of delight because

he has been crowned the European championship medallist. A job well

done because what a run this young man had to the gold medal to the top

place on the podium. He beat the number four seed. He beat the number

one seed in the semi-final and now, during the course of the gold medal

bout, he has beaten Bogdan Juratoni. Jason Quigley is the European

Jason Quigley is the European champion.

Well it was another strong showing from the Irish. What are they doing

right? Well, I will tell you what they are, they are competitive. That

sounds obvious, but let me explain it. In Ireland, both north and

south, being an amateur boxer carries incredible kudos. Amateur

boxers in Donegal. Amateur boxers in Belfast and amateur boxers in Dublin

are recognised on the street because they have had a funding programme in

place for ten years before we have had a funding programme, but the

most amazing thing about the four finalists, the two winners and two

losers, the two guys who are reigning champions went out early

with Joe twisting his knee when he was in front. They could have had

six finalists. They could have had four winners. S.of

Jason Quigley went into the tournament as a relative unknown a

bit like Anthony Joshua? Yes, we knew Anthony Joshua was around. He

went there not seeded and no one thinks he is going to be a problem

and he just started bashing them and just like Quigley he kept bashing

out the world number four and the world number three and the world

number two to get to the final. Is it about expectation? He has

probably gone there with his team-mates around him. Champions

that great experience, that great morale around him and he has just

thrived of that and he whats gone out and got the job job done.

John Joe Nevin p picked up the -- John Joe Nevin picked up the

accolade as the best boxer? He is a special talent and a lovely kid.

Everybody talks about Irish boxing, the first name is Katie Taylor. Her

record is phenomenal. Five world titles and four worlds and Olympic

gold. Clearly, someone you have huge respect for, Nicola? Yes, she is a

talented boxer and a really good, genuine friendly person as well. I

have been on a few training camps with her, but it is the Leeds in

her. Her dad is from Leeds. LAUGHTER

All points lead to he Leeds on the programme! She is a really good

boxer and she trains really hard. I have been on a lot of training camps

with Katie and she works hard and she is good at what she does.

What is Katie up to at the minute? She is getting six figure offers to

turn professional and she has to think about them even though she

wants to go to Rio. Welcome to Minsk, the capital of

Belarus and the host of the European Amateur Championships.

The city is home to two million of the country's ten million people.

Now for those of you that know your history, you will be aware that

Belarus used to be part of the Soviet Union, what you probably

don't know is that it also is home to the world's largest population of

bisons. OK, enough about the buysons. Next year, they will host

the highs hockey championships in mincing minutes Minsk. -- Minsk.

the world will see that Belarus is not only the sporting country, but

the organiser of the sporting events.

So there you have it. Minsk in a couple of minutes which leaves one

place boxing has taken you to? going to go with St Petersburg in

Russia. It is beautiful. A lovely place.

Tell us briefly about politics that's going on behind the amateur

boxing at the minute? Well, it happens in all amateur sports. There

is all sorts of problems and there was a dispute inside the GB and the

Scottish A BA and the Welsh A BA. One or two people moved aside. One

or two people fancy taking a places that are vacant. The funding that's

in place for the elite athletes, that's there, that's going to stay.

Unaffected? That's unaffected. Well next up, it is the super

heavyweights. Without Anthony, Britain selected he Joe joist and he

faced the Russian for a place in the faced the Russian for a place in the

final. So both boxers return to their

corners to await the opening bell. We go -- here we go then. Oh my

goodness, Joe Joyce is in real trouble because the man wearing blue

representing Russia has come out blazing and Joe Joyce the England

representative has been caught cold. Worrying times now for Joe Joyce.

Kuzmin wearing blue has put Joyce under pressure. A big white hand has

jumped Joe Joyce on the seat of his pants within seconds of the opening

round. It is all over! The referee has waved it off. And before the

bout really had even begun, Joe Joyce has been put out of it.

Stopped in the opening round in around 40 seconds by serge cap kuz

min of rush yard. It was a -- Russia. P-I questioned the referee's

decision. Look at that right-hand over the top. It was a cracking

shot. I thought that Joe Joyce could have gone on, but it was a case of

have gone on, but it was a case of being caught cold.

A difficult fight. A very difficult opponent, but did you know the two

fighters before you had pulled out so your fight was up so quickly?

No, I was just getting ready and then it was like, " You have got to

go. " I had to like almost jog here. They could have warned us when we

got the gloves and the head guard and that, but it was just rushed.

How much time did you have to prepare for the fight? How much time

did you lose in preparation for a fight like that? Well, at least 20

minutes because we were expecting there to be two more bouts before

mine so I had to get ready quickly. This is the p biggest fight in your

life? Yeah. And yeah, it all ended so quickly like, you know, I don't

see why, how I could be stopped just like that, like I'm fine like. It

wasn't a big shot or anything, but well fair play to him like. He won

on the night so you know, I can't complain too much.

An unfortunate ending for Joe Joyce. If he is saying two bouts vanished

and he put his boots on and gloves on and he lost 25 minutes and he

said he had to jog to the ring to get warm, then he was put at a

disadvantage, but there is a big team out there and I'm not blaming

the team, but everyone needs to be aware of what is going on. Someone

needs to be out watch ing the ring. He got caught cold. Simple as that.

What about the stoppage, Anthony? Should he have been allowed to carry

on? Me personally, I feel he should have been able to carry on. You put

so much into your training and this is boxing so you prepare for these

things to happen and he got back up as a champion does and you live to

fight on. It is a shame that the bout was stopped, but the referee is

doing his job. You know Joe very well. You spar

with him. He will be disappointed after that? You could see how

disappointed he is because he is there. Fair enough, he has his

brands medal which is a great achievement d bronze medal which is

a great achievement, but he is there to win gold.

Nicola, you are in the ring, how important is the build-up to get

into the right zone? Really important. It can be the

making and breaking of your fight. We just saw then, if you don't have

the right preparation, getting ready and warming up, it can be a disaster

in there. However, if you get it right and everything is on point, it

is all smiles. Do you have a detailed, a plan? What

you go through in the 20 minutes? Well, every boxer is different. I

tend not to have my plan so rigid and allow for things going wrong.

Mine would be just, you know, go down to the stadium. Put my boots on

and lace up and put music on and just warm up and get ready.

Time for the big hitters, the super-heavyweight final. It is

super heavyweight gold-medal bout, there is absolutely nothing in it.

Everything to fight for, everything to compete for between these two

from 2010. He is the man who put Joe enjoys out at the semifinals in such

emphatic fashion -- Joe Joyce. He stopped him at at around the 42nd

mark. These two boxes are competing with everything they have in their

efforts to be crowned gold medallist. I have been admiring

Medzhidov more than Kuzmin in this contest. He is beating him to the

shots. He is starting to outwork him now. To take risks like that against

such a strong opponent, that is very brave indeed by Medzhidov. Toughness

is one of his hallmarks full stop --. He beat Joshua, who beat

brilliantly who made the final, but he ran up against this man, who was

boxing at home, the two of them produced a brilliant contest. He got

an Olympic bronze medal in London last year as well. He's competing

with every ounce of his spirit here in an effort to stand atop the

podium. Beyond halfway in this third and final round, the two men

standing toe to toe, testing one another 's strength. Medzhidov still

trying to operate behind an unorthodox jab but at --

increasingly it is an attritional contest. He is working slightly

harder for my money, he's finding the gap and the room to work on the

inside. That was sloppy from the Russian bear, he got caught by some

good shots from Medzhidov. Up till now, the man in red is finding the

target with some quality punches. Both boxers, really feeling the pace

here. It is Medzhidov who turned the tide, he is having the exchanges. --

the better of the exchanges. Kuzmin, terrifically tired, increasingly

ragged, leaning on to Medzhidov, who is trying to push off and get back

to work at mid and long range. He lent to the right hand over the top

again, Kuzmin is trying to boxes way back into the contest. Inside the

closing stages of that contest, one is left with the impression that the

man in red, the tournament number one seed, Medzhidov of Azerbaijan,

has done enough to be crowned European champions to add to his

world championship gold and Olympic bronze. Order to refit contest.

Tough last round. He has done enough. Medzhidov of Azerbaijan, the

tournament number one seed, the European ranked number three, the

world ranked number three, has been crowned European championship gold

medallist after a really hard-fought contest against Sir Guy Kuzmin of

have been me! I have boxed the two finalists, and watching them box,

could see their mistakes, what they were doing wrong, sitting here with

a couch with a can of Pepsi! I am being judgemental, saying this is

what they have got to do, but I feel, coming on from the games, I

have come on a long way I would love to compete these guys again knowing

I have beaten one and lost by a point to the others. Any other soft

drink is just as acceptable! Lets see where all the medals have gone

down as team GB in the middle table? There are some Scots boxers who are

outside of the team and some Welsh boxes outside the team, and the

whole team GB thing which is the Welsh, English and Scottish, and the

ability for us to send three boxers from the home nations, that is all

going to end by the next Olympics. And the sooner the better, because

we are at an unfair advantage, that is why they are individual

countries. How does the performance director view the team 's

performance? It has been a long week. The boxers have performed

really well, some really good performances here in Belarus, it has

been a really tough tournament, they always are very difficult. Tough

draws everywhere you look but the boxers have done fantastically.

is all about a new generation, names like Joe Joyce, Jack Bateson, they

have really performed. Lindsey of good performances, a lot of

youngsters in the squad, but a great experience. A couple of them we

brought for experienced and a few report with an outside chance of

making a medal. We are pleased because the majority of the squad

have performed really well out here. On another day we could be

coming away with four or five medals. The highlight is Andrew

Selby, what an achievement. Brilliant. He has led from the front

out here, the whole squad has been looking up to him all week and he is

just a class act, double European champion now which is unbelievable.

For European medals on the spin, is world silver medallist, and I'm

hoping it made up a bit of a disappointment of him leaving to the

-- losing to the gold medallist in London. Result is three years away,

there is no reason he cannot go there and left a gold-medal --

Brazil is three years away. How has the scoring impacted your role?

is tricky, because you have to look at the judges are looking for, so it

is a work in progress, really. It will develop as it goes on and

become clearer what they are looking for and what they know they are

looking for. You are a realist, coming into the championships

committed you are expected to go as well as it had done? It has been

tough, it has been proved very difficult, I was quietly confident

we could pinch two or three medals out here, thankfully we have won

three medals. On another day we could have won 45. It is all

positive, morale is good in the squad, they are all youngsters

developing, they have not lost by much, they are all confident moving

forward. The world Championships will be difficult in Kazakhstan in a

few months, not long to prepare for that, but some real positives coming

out of Belarus. We are really pleased and it has been a successful

tournament. You agree with him? Absolutely

forced up if we had come back with one bronze medal, post-Olympics,

that would have been good. We haven't come away with one, we have

come away with three. We have gone there with a decent squad,

developing squad but there are a lot of guys that are not there. One of

them is next to me, several of them have gone pro, let's say we went

there with a full squad, we would have been close to the top of the

table. That is just stating facts. Will they look back at the week is a

job well done? I believe so. I think Rob was going in there with a desire

to grab a couple of medals, which they achieved. Even if they come

away post-Olympics with one bronze medal it is still an achievement, as

a developing squad. It is all about getting experience for the world

Championships in October? Definitely. All the lads would have

gained a lot of experience. Most of the top boxers in the world come

from Europe so to go into the European temperatures and have a

medal is fantastic. So they will be full of confidence, not just

forgetting that it is October. I am sure they will be all guns blazing

as soon as they get back to the gym and working hard. Do you think all

these new faces for the British and Irish, are they here to stay?

Ultimately they are all looking ahead to Rio. I would be surprised

if seven or eight of the boxers we featured today from Ireland,

England, Scotland or Wales are not part of Rio. I am looking that far

ahead. They are part of a successful, flourishing system which

is a system that winter medals. -- wins medal. It is about competition

after competition, big Josh might be there, the team is solid and strong.

Will they be heading back to Sheffield with that bit of spice in

their training now? They don't lose it. That is the thing. Whatever they

have got, they are going to add to it, they will go out and train,

sparring, big guys will be sparring with me, it will be a great

atmosphere. What is next in your diary? I have the Europeans at the

1st of July, I am going out there as reigning champion, I am hoping to

win another gold and continue my rain! To be Britain cosmic Katie

Taylor one-day! Hopefully!Do you stay amateur, do you go pro, are you

anywhere near deciding? There are options to me right now. All I have

got to do is look at everything. That is where I stand at the minute.

I am keeping a great level of fitness, still in the gym training

and sparring, I will be fighting soon. But you have got in Sheffield

as an amateur is special. It is priceless what we have got up there.

Regardless of what everyone is offering, I have to look at my

development as a boxer. Much to look forward to, throwing it forward?

have been covering this business for 30 years, this is the best for five

years we have had and we will have an even better one coming up.

a purple patch, we have to be excited for Ireland as well. They

are doing what they are doing, and they are going to carry on, they

will carry on winning medals. By the time it is the next Europeans and we

go to Rio, will be the second or third top nation, that is not

fantasy! Good luck to all of you, great to have you in. What a hugely