BOXING Taylor Prepares for Semi Final Clash

Katie Taylor will renew acquaintances with Queen Underwood of the USA in tonight's AIBA World Women's Championships 60kg semi-final in Barbados.

But this time out there will be much more at stake than the last time both lightweights met.

Taylor, who is aiming for her third World title in a row, beat Underwood 30-3 at the National Stadium in Dublin on February 27th, 2009 and stopped the American in the second round - after Underwood took three standing counts - at the Arch Centre in Kildare three days later.

The meetings were part of an Ireland versus USA male and female dual international meet which Ireland won 17-5 on aggregate over two legs.

The winner from tonight's clash - which will be streamed live on the net at www.rte.ie/sport - will face either China's Cheng Dong or Poland's Karolina Graczyk in Saturday's lightweight final at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Bridgetown.

Wednesday's quarter-final victory over Russia was Taylor's 98th win from 104 bouts since 2001.