Russia's Anastasiia Beliakova: 'Beating Team GB's Sandy Ryan wasn't easy'

Russian boxer Anastasiia Beliakova has admitted that it "wasn't easy" to beat Team GB's Sandy Ryan in the semi-finals of the women's light-welterweight division at the European Games in Baku.

The 22-year-old clinched a unanimous points decision over the Briton to secure a spot in the gold-medal bout tomorrow, while Ryan has to settle for a bronze.

Beliakova told reporters: "I have met her before and beat her in the World Championship. I was focused on her in this fight and I feel happy that I beat her, though it wasn't easy. She probably wanted to take revenge but I didn't let her do that.

"I didn't do everything what was planned and directed by my coach. The pressure was high and I needed to make changes and find the way to gain victory.

"The spectators were very supportive and that helped me, probably that also affected the judges. I am going to be even more prepared [for the final]. I want to show beautiful boxing."

Beliakova will face Italy's Valentina Alberti in the final tomorrow.