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Brendan Irvine not settling for European Games bronze after Salman Alizada win

Brendan Irvine insists that the atmosphere generated by spectators drove him on to victory against Azerbaijan's Salman Alizada in Baku.

Irish boxer Brendan Irvine has warned his lightweight rivals that he is not happy to settle for bronze at the European Games.

The 19-year-old beat Azerbaijan's Salman Alizada on a split-points decision at Crystal Hall on Monday morning to earn himself a share of the medals at the inaugural event.

However, far from being happy with what he has, Irvine is now targeting further success by overcoming Dmytro Zamotayev in the semi-finals later this week.

"I listened to my coaches and they told me what to do. I'm happy with the medal, but I'm not done yet," he told reporters after his triumph in Baku.

Asked how it felt to beat one of the home favourites, in front of a partisan crowd in Azerbaijan's capital, Irvine added: "I can take that.

"I felt the hostile atmosphere from the crowd, but I focused on my thing. The atmosphere just kept me driving on. I was just focusing on getting out there to perform."

Irvine dedicated his round-of-16 win over Bulgaria's Tinko Banabakov last Friday to his late father.

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Brendan Irvine (red) of Ireland is declared the winner over Tinko Banabakov (blue) of Bulgaria in the Men's Boxing Light Fly weight 46-49kg round of 16 bout during day seven of the Baku 2015 European Games at the Crystal Hall on June 19, 2015
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