KATIE TAYLOR HAS her sights set on a remarkable sixth straight lightweight title as the Women’s World Boxing Championships get underway in Astana today.
But Ireland’s reigning Olympic champion must secure qualification for Rio first before she can turn her attention to another gold medal.
Taylor’s first fight will not be until Saturday after she received a bye into the last 32, where she will face either Irma Testa of Italy or Sweden’s Agnes Alexisson.
The Bray boxer needs three wins to guarantee her place in the 60kg semi-finals and with it, a chance to defend her Olympic title later this summer.
Cavan’s Ceire Smith was the only Irish fighter in action on day one in Kazakhstan but she lost a majority decision to Ingrit Valencia in the opening round of the 51kg division, another of the Olympic weight classes.
Dervla Duffy, Moira McElligot, Kelly Harrington and Ireland’s third Rio hopeful Christina Desmond are all in action on Friday, with Donna Barr beginning her tournament on Saturday alongside Taylor.
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