BOXING Katie Taylor Retains her European Boxing Crown

Ireland's Katie Taylor Retains her European Boxing Crown

Ireland's Katie Taylor is lightweight European Boxing Champion for the second year running after she stopped her Russian opponent; Tatiana Chalaya; reigning world champion, in the second round of their final bout in Warsaw this evening (18-3).
 
The Wicklow native, who is part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association's (IABA) high performance squad, put in her best ever performance to take the coveted gold medal and retain her title and will now have next year's World Championships firmly in her sights.
 
Gary Keegan, the IABA's high performance director expressed his joy on hearing of Katie's unmatched achievement: 
"Katie has proved in Poland that she is the top boxer in the world in her weight category and this win ranks up there with the great sporting achievements of Irish athletes in any sport.To put it into perspective not only did she successfully defend her European title, but she also beat the world champion to do it, and totally outclassed her into the bargain. We were expecting it to be a tough close contest today but Katie simply blew here opponent away.She has done her country so proud in Poland and we are absolutely thrilled with this victory."
 
Keegan was also full of praise for proud dad Peter Taylor, who has coached his talented daughter to four outstanding victories on her way to this title; "Peter has worked extremely hard with Katie and our other boxers over the last few years.This is a proud moment for him and everyone in the Irish Amateur Boxing Association shares in that pride and celebrates a truly remarkable victory."
 
The victorious Taylor arrives home tomorrow (Sunday Spetember 10th), into Dublin airport at 2.15pm.
 
For Further Information
Sinéad McElroy
Irish Sports Council
+ 353 87 6338512
or
Gary Keegan, IABA
+ 353 87 2758906