KATIE TAYLOR WAS at her unstoppable best once again this afternoon, progressing to the lightweight semi-finals with a comprehensive win over Ayzanat Hajiyeva at the European Women’s Boxing Championships.
Taylor outboxed her Azerbaijani opponent from the opening bell of their quarter-final bout in Rotterdam and scored a comfortable 17-4 victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Although the win guarantees her at least a bronze medal, the reigning World Champion has her sights set on bigger and better things as she continues on her quest for a fifth successive gold medal at these championships.
Next up for Taylor is Helena Falk of Sweden in Friday’s semi-finals. The pair know each other well having met in Bray just two months ago, a contest which Taylor won on a unanimous decision in front of her home crowd.
Hoping to join Taylor in the tournament’s final four is Kilkenny’s Lauragh O’Neill, the only other member of the Irish team still in the competition.
Her light-heavyweight quarter-final against Tinea Naga of Hungary is due to start between 4pm and 5pm this afternoon.
There was disappointment, however, for Ireland’s other quarter-finalist, Ceire Smith. The Cavan bantamweight struggled against the reigning European Union silver medallist Sandra Drabik of Poland, losing 24-9.
