Taylor claims fifth European Senior title in a row

BOXING NEWS:IT WAS high fives all round for Katie Taylor on Saturday night after she claimed her fifth European Senior title in-a-row following her fifth win in six days in Rotterdam.

A 10-5 decision over Russia’s two-time World champion Sofya Ochigava saw the Bray woman, who is also the World and EU lightweight champion, finish on top of the podium and secure her 12th major international gold medal.

Saturday’s verdict was sweet revenge for the 25-year-old, who was controversially adjudged to have lost to the Russian southpaw at the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix in the Czech Republic in March 2010. Ochigava was handed an 8-1 verdict in that semi-final.

The weekend’s win was also the third gold medal that Ireland’s Elite boxers have won at European Senior Championships level this year following Joe Ward and Ray Moylette’s double gold at the European Men’s Championships in June.

Taylor, who led 1-0 after the first, courtesy of a flashing right, resisted the temptation to engage with Ochigava in the second frame of Saturday’s 60Kg final and picked off her shots to lead 4-1 by the end of the round.

The third frame was another cagey affair. However, Taylor, once again showing remarkable composure, patiently building on her advantage en route to a unprecedented haul of European gold medals for an Irish athlete.

Taylor’s dad and coach, Peter Taylor, who was working Ireland’s corner along with Zuar Antia and Damien Walsh in Rotterdam, reckoned they got their tactics right.

“We studied all of Ochigava’s fights out here this week and the important thing was that Katie remained patient. The Russian girl wanted her to come forward but Katie stayed composed and implemented the tactics.

“We had to hold her back at one stage as she wanted to go for her but that would have played into her hands. We’re absolutely delighted with the win and to be taking home gold.”

Taylor, who was part of a nine-strong Irish squad at the Championships, believes that Ochigava is a world class boxer.

“Sofya is one of the best opponents I have ever met and I’m absolutely thrilled with the win, I can’t believe it, really.

“She said to me after the final that ‘we can be friends now’,” said the two-time AIBA world female boxer of the year.

“Obviously, we are rivals inside the ring, but we really get on very well outside the ring. She’s a lovely person and she’s a fantastic boxer.

“It’s always a great feeling to win. In fact, it gets better every time. There was a lot of pressure on me going into this tournament and that pressure was there again this week.It is very demanding mentally to have five fights in six days.

“Each day you have to pick yourself up mentally for a new contest and a new challenge, but that’s where my preparation and experience comes in.”

Taylor has now beaten all of the top lightweights in the world heading down into the AIBA World Women’s Championships – where she’ll be aiming for four -in-a-row – in China next May.

That tournament will act as the only Olympic qualifier for female boxers for the 30th Olympiad in London. The three Olympic weight categories for women are flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

“I’ll take a few weeks off now and then we’ll begin to prepare for the World Championships and Olympics qualifiers. That will be the biggest tournament of my life,” added Taylor.

Taylor scored 89 points and conceded 30 in her five wins en route to gold in Rotterdam. Ireland’s Sadie Duffy refereed Saturday’s final between the Ukraine and England in Rotterdam.

Meanwhile, Tyrone native Michael Gallagher, was named as the best referee and fudge of the year by the AIBA on Friday.