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European Championship
The European Championships began in 1924 however no one actually boxed. The Federation Internationale de Boxe Amateur (FIBA), launched in 1920, agreed that the highest placed European in each of the (8) weight categories in the 1924 Paris (France) Olympics would be conferred with the title of 'European Champion'.
Great Britain therefore had (2) European Champions (Harry Mallin Eton Manor ABC; Harry Mitchell Polytechnic ABC) who were both became 'Champions of Europe' by becoming Olympic Champion (1924). However George McKenzie (United Scottish ABC), who was a silver medalist, also became 'European Champion' by virtue of being the highest ranking European in his weight category.
The 1925 'European Championship' witnessed the first 'competing' Games in Stockholm (Sweden). Great Britain had (2) Champions. The ABA did not send a team to the 1927 Berlin (Germany) Games due we understand to the cost of travel.
1928, the European titles were again awarded based on performance in the Olympic Games (Amsterdam, Holland). This occurred again in 1932 (Los Angeles, USA) for the last time. It was also the only time a competition in one continent determined the 'Champion' in another!
In 1934 the (FIBA) moved the European Championships to avoid 'Olympic Year' clashes, so the next Games were 1937 held by the City of Milan (Italy). Dublin (Ireland) staged the 1939 tournament. The impact of World War (II) meant no tournament until 1947, again Dublin (Ireland). Interestingly in 1965 (Berlin Games) it was recommended 'headguards' be worn.
The European Amateur Boxing Association (EABA) was formed in 1970. Today around fifty countries are now affiliated to EABA. This Body administer the European Championships.
A clash of dates with the ABA National Finals meant no team was sent to the 1979 European Championships (Cologne, West Germany). This again happened in 1983 (Varna, Bulgaria).
The 2006 Championships took place in Bulgaria (13 - 23 July) in the City of Plovidiv. The 2008 the Championships will be held in the City of Liverpool. This will be the first time in the history of the 'European Championships' the ABA of England will host the Games
Select a decade from the menu on the left to view the roll of honour
Alternatively, use the links in the table below
| City | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Paris+ | France | 1924 |
| Stockholm | Sweden | 1925 |
| Berlin | Germany | 1927 |
| Amsterdam+ | Holland | 1928 |
| Budapest | Hungary | 1930 |
| Los Angeles+ | USA | 1932 |
| Budapest | Hungary | 1934 |
| Milan | Italy | 1937 |
| Dublin | Ireland | 1939 |
| Dublin | Ireland | 1947 |
| Oslo | Norway | 1949 |
| Milan | Italy | 1951 |
| Warsaw | Poland | 1953 |
| Berlin | East Germany | 1955 |
| Prague | Czechoslovakia | 1957 |
| Lucerne | Switzerland | 1959 |
| Belgrade | Yugoslavia | 1961 |
| Moscow | Soviet Republic | 1963 |
| Berlin | Germany | 1965 |
| Rome | Italy | 1967 |
| Bucharest | Romania | 1969 |
| Madrid | Spain | 1971 |
| Belgrade | Yugoslavia | 1973 |
| Katowice | Poland | 1975 |
| Halle | East Germany | 1977 |
| Cologne | West Germany | 1979 |
| Tampere | Finland | 1981 |
| Varna | Bulgaria | 1983 |
| Budapest | Hungary | 1985 |
| Turin | Italy | 1987 |
| Athens | Greece | 1989 |
| Gothenburg | Sweden | 1991 |
| Bursa | Turkey | 1993 |
| Vejle | Denmark | 1996 |
| Minsk | Belarus | 1998 |
| Tempere | Finland | 2000 |
| Perm | Russia | 2002 |
| Pula | Croatia | 2004 |
| Plovidiv | Bulgaria | 2006 |
| Liverpool | England | 2008 |
+ The title of 'European Champion' was awarded to the highest placed European at the Olympic Games of that year.