Team GB boxer Josh Kelly has told Sports Mole that he "really wanted that gold medal" after exiting in the semi-finals of the 2015 European Games on Friday.
The 21-year-old secured a bronze earlier this week when he beat Ireland's Adam Nolan, which set up a semi-final with Azerbaijan's Parviz Baghirov.
Kelly impressed during the bout at Crystal Hall, but the judges awarded all three rounds to the home favourite and now the Brit must wait on the outcome of Saturday's welterweight final to see whether he has made the World Championships.
"I would have been happy then," said Kelly when asked whether he would have taken a bronze if asked about the competition six months ago.
"But obviously when you get here and see the level of competition, and start beating big names in the game, you start getting your belief and all the coaches also start to believe.
"I really wanted that gold medal, but there is nothing that I can do about it now and I just hope that I have done everyone proud.
"[The whole experience] has been class, everyone has had good banter, the coaches and the boxers, which lifts the trip up. To come here and get pipped at the post is obviously disappointing, but hopefully I can come back and if I get a similar situation again then I know that I can handle it."
Kelly will qualify for the World Championships if Baghirov overcomes Russia's Alexander Besputin in Saturday's final in Baku.
Matt Law
