Mayo’s Shannon Sweeney crowned European light flyweight champion in Belgrade
Shannon Sweeney of Ireland celebrates after her victory over Zlatislava Gena Chukanova of Bulgaria in their Women's 50kg light flyweight final bout during the 2024 European Boxing Championships at Aleksandar Nikolić Hall in Belgrade, Serbia. Photo: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
Mayo boxer Shannon Sweeney has been crowned champion of Europe after fashioning a decisive 4-1 win in the final of the light flyweight 50kg division at the European Championships in Belgrade this afternoon.
A bronze medallist at the championships two years ago, Sweeney, a member of the Westport-based St Anne’s BC, gave an exhibition of the best in southpaw boxing to achieve a decisive win over Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Gena Chukanova.
As well as bringing home the gold medal, Sweeney also wins €14,000 in prize money.
She becomes Ireland’s newest female European champion following in the line of distinguished Irish champions, including Katie Taylor, Aoife O’Rourke, Kellie Harrington and Amy Broadhurst.
The final featured a classic clash of styles. The Bulgarian was by far the more aggressive fighter, coming forward at every opportunity, whereas Sweeney was patient as she fought off the back foot.
All the rounds were close and the Bulgarian got the nod from three of the five judges after the first round. Twice in the second round, the Bulgarian seemed to wrestle Sweeney to the ground and it was the Irish fighter’s clean shots that caught the eye of the judges, with four of them giving her the round.
Going into the final stanza, Sweeney was two points up on one judge's card, whereas the contest was level on the other four cards. Everything depended on the final round. Again, it was very close, but crucially, Sweeney got the nod from three of the judges.
The judge who had Sweeney 20-18 ahead after two rounds gave the final round to the Bulgarian (10-9), which didn’t impact the outcome and meant the fight didn’t have to go for a review.
Sweeney made the sign of the cross before the result was announced and then leapt for joy when it was announced as she won 4-1 (29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Even though she will not be going to the Paris Olympics, this was a career-defining win for Sweeney.
