TOM Power reckons that Cork welter Christina Desmond will bounce back from yesterday’s European Elite quarter-final defeat to Russian number two seed Darima Sandakova in Madrid.

Power, who coaches the Macroom southpaw at the Fr Horgan’s BC, was speaking after the Siberia-born puncher earned a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 (4-1) split decision over Christina.

Desmond continuously walked down her opponent in all three rounds, but the judges leaned toward the counter-punching of the 2019 European Games medalist who boxed mostly on the backfoot.

“It was a close fight. I thought the Russian got the first round and I thought Christina got the second but it was close, I thought Christina got the third also,” said Power.

“It was a close one. It’s disappointing but she’ll bounce back from this. She doesn’t hold on to anything for too long.”

Irish team manager JP Kinsella thought that Desmond, the current Irish Elite champion, brought the fight to the Siberian who claimed bronze at the European Games in Minsk earlier this summer.

“Christina gave it everything and that’s all you can ask. She boxed very well and she took it to her in all three rounds,“ he said.

Lightweight Amy Broadhurst andmiddleweight Aoife O’Rourke, who are both guaranteed at least bronze in Madrid, will box in the semi-finals tomorrow.