REIGNING OLYMPIC CHAMPION Katie Taylor will be one of nine Irish boxers fighting for a place at Rio 2016 at a qualifying tournament in Turkey next month.
Four Irish boxers have already guaranteed their place in Brazil — Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, Joe Ward and Steven Donnelly.
The IABA last night confirmed their squad for the European Olympic qualifiers which begin in Samsun on 9 April.
Lightweight champion Taylor, flyweight Ceire Smith and middleweight Christina Desmond will need to finish in the top two of their respective weight classes to qualify.
The top three in each of the male weight classes will clinch an Olympic place. Brendan Irvine, David Oliver Joyce, Dean Walsh, Michael O’Reilly, Darren O’Neill and Dean Gardiner have all been selected to compete in Turkey.
Eight of the panel are currently training in Assisi where they have been joined by Barnes, Conlan and Ward. Ceire Smith is expected to link up with the squad today.
Female
- 51kg: Ceire Smith (Cavan)
- 60kg: Katie Taylor (Bray)
- 75kg: Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
Male
- 52kg: Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s)
- 60kg: David Oliver Joyce (AIBA Pro Boxing)
- 64kg: Dean Walsh (St Joesph’s/St Ibar’s)
- 75kg: Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
- 91kg: Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)
- 91+kg: Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)
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