BRADLEY Saunders will have to settle for a superb bronze medal in the World Amateur Championships in Chicago after falling just short at the semi-final stage last night.

The Sedgefield light-welterweight had already confounded expectations by racing to the last four and with it picking up an automatic qualification place for next year's Beijing Olympics.

But he found experienced Russian Gennady Kovalev too tough to crack, never recovering from a poor start and, despite a brave late rally, ultimately falling to a 16-8 defeat.

But there was no medal for Sunderland light-heavyweight Tony Jeffries, who was below par in a 20-9 loss to Kazakh Yerkubuian Shynaliyev - though his blow was softened by the knowledge that he has already made it to Beijing.

These are by far England's most successful World Championships with Saunders the first of three guaranteed medallists along with Frankie Gavin and Joe Murray.

There was heartbreak, however, for Liverpool super-heavyweight David Price, who was forced to withdraw from his fight against Italian Roberto Cammarelle after sustaining a suspected broken left hand.

Price, who would also have qualified for the Olympics with victory, must now hope his injury heals in time for him to secure his place via one of two remaining qualification tournaments in the new year.