Castlerea boxer guarantees European medal
Lisa O'Rourke has secured at least a bronze medal. Photo by IBA via Sportsfile
Castlerea Boxing Club is celebrating another major medal today after one of its boxers was guaranteed a European bronze medal.
Lisa O’Rourke ensured she will collect at least a bronze medal from the European U-23 boxing championships as she secured a quarter final triumph earlier this evening in Sofia, Bulgaria.
O’Rourke proved far too strong for Anastasija Lukajic as the Irish boxer secured a stoppage win in the second round after the referee issued three standing eight counts to her overmatched opponent.
The opening round saw O’Rourke use her reach to great effect as her probing jabs caused problems for her Serbian opponent.
The Castlerea boxer landed a crunching jab and right hand combination inside the opening minute while three firm right hands inside the closing 30 seconds saw her back her overwhelmed opponent to the ropes.
All five judges scored the first round in O’Rourke’s favour.
The second round saw Lukajic try and pin O’Rourke in the corner but the Roscommon boxer stayed composed. O’Rourke landed two right hands upstairs, which prompted the first standing eight count midway through the second round.
The Castlerea boxer targeted the body of the Serb and found her opening with less than 30 seconds left in the round as a left hook and straight right hand led to a flurry of punches that saw the referee give Lukajic another standing count.
Once the action commenced O’Rourke piled forward with the referee stepping in again and stopping the contest.
The win ensures O’Rourke will face Poland's Barbara Marcinkowska in the semi-final on Thursday.
