Saunders last fought at the Beijing Olympics in 2008

Bradley Saunders made a winning return to the ring with a first-round knockout over Latvia's Marek Gabris at the EU Championships in Odense.

The World Championship bronze medallist was fighting for the first time since his second-round loss to Alexis Vastine at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August.

Britain's Saunders, 23, floored Gabris twice to score a conclusive victory and now faces sparring partner Lewis Rees.

"Stopping the kid in the first round is a great boost at this level," he said.

"I felt really good in there and I haven't been beaten yet this year which gives me loads of confidence."

I felt really good in there and I haven't been beaten yet this year which gives me loads of confidence Bradley Saunders

Welshman Rees stopped Turkey's Ibrahim Bostanci in the second round.

Fellow Briton and reigning European champion Luke Campbell eased past Frenchman Brahim Zendaoui at bantamweight.

There was another first-round win for London's Obed Mbwakongo, who stopped Krzysztof Sadlon of Poland at light-heavyweight.

Earlier, featherweight Iain Weaver his celebrated his promotion into the British Amateur Boxing Association's (BABA) podium squad by progressing to the second round.

The 19-year-old recorded a comprehensive victory over Francisco Castillejo Damian of Spain to score a conclusive 13-4 win.

There were also opening wins for Liverpool's Tom Stalker, who beat Poland's Michel Chudecki by the same 13-4 scoreline, and Scott Cardle over Germany's Alexander Miller 12-4.

But middleweight Karl Kirkham was Britain's first casualty as he was beaten 8-5 by another German, Konstantin Buga.

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