Boxing:Damaen Kelly's bid for the European bantamweight title ended in the third round when he was stopped by champion Simone Maludrottu in Sardinia tonight.
Kelly, aiming to become the first Irishman to win European titles at two different weights, began well but was caught in the third with a sharp right hand which disorientated him.
He fought back bravely but as Maludrottu started to connect with further heavy blows the towel came in from cornerman Michael Hawkins.
Former European flyweight champion Kelly had been unlucky not to get the decision in Belfast last April after out-boxing the Italian for most of the 12 rounds and had been expected to take his revenge, but despite some nice boxing in the opening two rounds the title holder's power was decisive.