BOXING Taylor Crowned EU Champion

Katie Taylor was crowned European Union champion for the second year running following an 8-1 win over Bulgarian lightweight Denitza Eliseevan in Pazardjik, Bulgaria this afternoon.

Today's win was the 22 year old Irish woman's 35th in a row and the third time on the trot she has beaten an opponent from the host nation in a major international final.

Last November she beat Chinese lightweight Cheng Dong 13-2 to retain her title at the AIBA World Championships in Ningbo City, China.

And she followed that up with a 5-1 win over Turkey's Ozlem Dinc to claim gold at the prestigious Ahmet Cup in Istanbul,Turkey in April of this year.

This afternoons victory, achieved over four, two minute rounds, confirms that Irish boxers have claimed TEN medals at European Union level in the last seven days.

Last weekend the Irish men's team won three gold, three silver and three bronze medals and the team of the tournament award at the European Union Senior Championships in Odense, Denmark.

Peter Taylor, who was working his daughters corner along with Pat Ryan in Pazardjik, said that they were thrilled with today's win.

He said: "Katie boxed fabulously and she is delighted to have retained her title. She produced three great performances in three days to win this gold medal and this is another proud moment for her."

The boxer of the tournament award will be announced later today.

Taylor, who boxes out of the Bray BC, scored 33 points in her three wins in Bulgaria and conceded 4. Taylor was the only Irish boxer at the Championships.