Michaela Walsh will return from the European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria with a bronze medal after losing her featherweight semi-final on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Belfast fighter lost on a 4-1 split decision by Kazakhstan-born Hungarian Vladislava Kukhta [29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29] after a technical bout of contrasting styles.

Walsh has now secured three podium finishes this year following silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and Strandja Tournament.

“It was very cagey and the tactics were to try and lead her on [into counters] but she is a great operator and it was always just how that first round was going to go as it would dictate the fight,” Walsh told Boxing Ireland.

“I’m proud of my performance and fought to the very end.

“2023 was the last time I was on an international podium [until this year]. I was going through a bit of a stale period, but never gave up, believed in myself and knew I could produce big performances.

“This isn’t over, it’s just a stepping stone, so onto next year for the Olympic qualifier.”

Both took a while to settle and a quiet opener was shaded by southpaw Vladislava on three of the five cards.

The World Boxing Cup Brazil finalist found a home for some straight lefts, while Walsh enjoyed her own moments when quickening the feet to advance and land on the inside.

The pace increased in the second as they began to let their hands go, Vladislava opting for volume to Walsh’s more measured approach to draw the lead and counter.

Accumulation would catch the eye as the Hungarian’s work was rewarded on all five cards to help her into a healthy lead on three cards with two even.

Walsh needed a big final round and opened well with a right and while Vladislava was not content to coast home as she enjoyed further success with the left, the Belfast woman boxed superbly with consistent shots finding the target.

However, it was not enough in the end as her tournament came to an end.