Kiaran Macdonald has the chance to end 2019 by striking gold at a major international competition.
The 22-year-old has reached the final of the International Liventsev tournament in Minsk, where he will meet Azat Usenaliyev, from Kyrgyzstan.
It is a huge opportunity for the Sunderland ABC flyweight who clinched silver at the European U22 Championship in Russia earlier this year.
He had a great week in Vladikavkaz back in March, only to lose out in the gold medal match to Bulgaria’s Daniel Asenov.
And he is having another super run this week in the Belarus capital, where he has thus far reeled off three unanimous points decisions.
First up he defeated Ramil Aliyeu, from Belarus, four judges scoring it 30-27 with only the Moldova official ‘breaking ranks’ with a 29-28 tally.
He faced another home fighter in the quarter-finals, defeating Aliaksandr Butrym, again four judges scoring it 30-27 with one marking it 30-26.
That set up Macdonald with a tough encounter at the semi-final stage with Spain’s two-time European champion, Gabriel Escobar.
As expected it was a cracking duel between two of Europe’s lightest talents, with Macdonald triumphing via a split decision, three judges siding with the GB boxer.
There was no joy though for Kiaran’s North-East neighbour and GB team-mate, Cyrus Pattinson.
Having received a bye past Aliaksandr Mikhaskov, the Birtley ABC welterweight was eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Armenia’s Gurgen Madoyan on a unanimous decision.
GB Boxing sent a team of 10 men and women to the 17th International elite men and women boxing tournament.
Macdonald is one of four British finalists. Elsewhere, Shona Whitwell faces Sudaporn Seesondee, from Thailand, while Kerry Davis takes on Belarus boxer Veber Alina and Jordan Reynolds takes on another home fighter in Vitali Bandarenka.
Omarah Taylor won a bronze medal after losining out to Russia’s Tatiana Solomatina on a split decision.
Words: Roy Kelly
