Irish captain Ken Egan is through to the European Union Championships light heavyweight final after his opponent pulled out because of injury.

Egan,from the Neilstown club in Dublin, had been due to meet World and European silver medallist Mario Sivolija in a 81Kg semi final at the National Stadium in Dublin tonight (June 22nd).

But the Croatians camp announced at this mornings weigh-in at the National Stadium they were withdrawing their boxer because of a facial injury.

Egan beat Sivolija in the 2005 European Union Championships in Sardinia to claim Irelands only gold medal at this level since the inaugural European Union Championships in Strasbourg France in 2003.

Sivolija was involved in a tough semi final with Daniel Kooy yesterday and had to overturn a 3-0 first round deficit before beating the Dutch man over four rounds.

The Croatians withdrawal means that Egan is now guaranteed at least a silver medal from the 2007 European Union Championships.

Four Irish boxers, Carl Frampton, Roy Sheahan, Darren Sutherland and Cathal McMonagle will all be involved in semi final bouts this afternoon and this evening.



Bernard O'Neill
Public Relations Officer
Irish Amateur Boxing Association
Ph-086 057 9558/085 763 3090
bernard.oneill@oceanfree.net
www.iaba.ie