England's McGrail wins Euro gold
England won one gold and six silver medals on the final day of competition at the European Boxing Championships.
Peter McGrail's victory over Ukrainian Mykola Butsenko in the 56kg final was the high point for England, while Joseph Ward (81kg) won gold for Ireland against Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov.
On Friday, Callum French (60kg) took bronze as he lost his semi-final.
England claimed eight medals in total Ukraine - the highest of any nation. Their previous best was six in 2015.
Two years ago in Bulgaria, England claimed four gold, one silver and one bronze.
In Kharkiv on Saturday, Russia's Vasilii Egorov beat England's Galal Yafai (46-49kg), before Daniel Panev Asenov of Bulgaria beat Niall Farrell (52kg).
After McGrail's victory, Luke McCormack (64kg) was beaten by Armenian Hovhannes Bachkov, Abbas Baraou of Germany beat Pat McCormack (69kg), Cheavon Clarke (91kg) lost to Russia's Evgeny Tishchenko and FrazerEdward Clarke (+91kg) was outpointed by another Ukrainian, Viktor Vykhryst.
Many of the fighters competing in Ukraine are part of the new GB Boxing squad, which has changed significantly in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as many athletes who competed at Rio 2016 have either turned professional or are set to do so.
Peter McGrail's was the only gold medal England won at this year's Championships
- Published23 June 2017
- Published23 June 2017
- Published22 December 2018
