SINI boxer Paddy Barnes wins European gold medal

Barnes is only the sixth Irish boxer to secure gold at the championships and the first in 19 years.

The Belfast boxer led 1-0 after the first round and 3-1 after the second round and ran out a 4-1 winner.

The 23-year-old had qualified for the final by beating Spain's Jos de la Nieve Linares in his semi-final.

Barnes scored his opening point of the final with a left jab and went 2-0 up in round two with a lovely right to the head.

The fighters traded points before the end of round three, before Barnes sealed his success with a further point.

After his victory Barnes said: "It's brilliant. I'm over the moon - I can't describe how good I am feeling."

"It was always touch and go but I stuck to my gameplan.

"I knew coming into the fight that I had to close him down, not give him space to breathe."