Vitaly Dunaytsev saw his title defence come to a premature end ©Getty Images

Russia’s Vitaly Dunaytsev saw his title defence come to an end at the European Boxing Championships in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The reigning champion was making his first appearance at the Lokomotyv Sports Palace, having enjoyed a bye through the first round.

Dunaytsev, who won gold at the 2015 World Championships, found himself in a tightly fought contest with Ireland’s Sean McComb in the men’s 64 kilogram light welterweight division.

The judges ultimately gave the contest to McComb, with three officials ruling in the Irish fighter’s favour, while the remaining two officials deemed Dunaytsev the victor.

McComb will face the challenge of Luke McCormack in the quarter-finals, after the English boxer secured a unanimous 5-0 win over Johann Orozco Ojeda of Spain.

Azerbaijan’s Lorenzo Sotomayor progressed on the other half of the draw, with the Cuban-born fighter overcoming Wahid Hambli of France.

The Rio 2016 silver medallist was awarded a 4-1 victory by the judges.

He will now face Mateusz Polski of Poland, after he won 4-1 against Wladislaw Baryshnik of Germany.

Lorenzo Sotomayor was among the victors in the men's light welterweight division ©Getty Images
Lorenzo Sotomayor was among the victors in the men's light welterweight division ©Getty Images

The men’s over-91kg super heavyweight competition was also the focus of attention today, with Azerbaijan’s Mahommedrasul Majidov among those to advance.

The recently crowned Islamic Solidarity Games gold medallist claimed a 4-1 victory over Petar Belberov of Bulgaria.

France’s Djamili-Dini Aboudou-Moindze will provide the opposition in the quarter-finals, as he overcame Georgia’s Mikheil Bakhtidze unanimously.

Competition in Kharkiv is acting as a qualifier for the World Championships, which are due to be held in German city Hamburg from August 25 to September 3.