Masterclass keeps Taylor title defence on course

KATIE TAYLOR produced what has to be regarded as the best performance of her career to date as she demolished Russian lightweight, Ayzznat Gadzhieva, with an astonishing 20-2 computer scoreline to keep her world title defence on track by claiming a place in today’s finals of the women’s world boxing championships in Ningbo City, China.

Russia’s new kid on the block was reckoned as the one who could derail the 22 year old Bray woman. But, on the day, she was no match for the champion who was too quick, too agile and too strong.

Taylor toyed with Gadzhievam who, to her credit, never gave up despite being bombarded by every punch in the book all dispatched with clinical precision.

Taylor led 6-1 at the end of the first rounds — women’s contests are decided over three two-minute rounds — and she was 13-2 ahead the end of the second before winning the third by seven points.

The final result was a true reflection of Taylor’s dominance as the Irish woman joined four other champions in today’s finals, when she will now take on the two time Chinese national champion, Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng beat Cindy Orain of France 6-1 in her semi-final and Taylor beat Orain 11-0 last August when they touched gloves in the finals of the European Union Championships in Liverpool.

Katie’s father, Pete Taylor, who is also her coach, rated his daughter’s performance as her best to date and admitted he was surprised by the number of Irish supporters who turned up at the Ningbo Youngor gymnasium to lend plenty of vocal support.

“Katie gave a master-class this morning,” he said. “She was absolutely outstanding. She’s improving with every bout at these championships.

“The Russian girl came to box and was attacking all the time but Katie picked her off superbly with counter punches. We have one more big test tomorrow and that is our focus now.

“A lot of Irish fans have arrived down from Beijing to cheer Katie on and they created a terrific atmosphere. The Fields of Athenry got a great blast this morning.”

It will be the second time this year that an Irish boxer will face a Chinese opponent in the final of a major championship. Last August, Irish captain Ken Egan was desperately unlucky to lose out 11-7 to Xiaoping Zhang of China in the light heavyweight Olympic final.

Women’s boxing’s most successful exponent, Mary ‘The Magnificent’ Kom, reached her fifth successive world championship final by beating North Korea’s Ok Jong 8-3 in the semi-finals.

In a repeat result of the 2006 World Championships semi-finals, Kom, who gained revenge for a loss to Jong in the 2008 Asian Championships final, was in incredible form in a complete turnaround from her earlier bouts where she seemed to be missing a beat.

The 25-year-old will now face Romanian 26-year-old Steluta Duta, who beat Josie Gabuco (Philippines) in the semis 7:5 to confirm a repeat of the 2006 final which Kom won 22-7.

Meanwhile, Dubliner Oisin Fagan is planning to give himself an early Christmas present by grabbing the chance of a lifetime with both hands when he faces Amir Khan in London on December 6, with Khan looking to bounce back from his sensational first-round knockout defeat to Breidis Prescott.

A second successive defeat for Khan would all but end the grand plans made for the Bolton native since he turned professional following his Olympic silver medal in 2004. Fagan believes that pressure will play into his hands in London next month.

“I’m coming to London to win, no doubt about that,” insisted Fagan. “I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t think I could win it. Of course I’m going to be the underdog but that’s ok, I’m well used to that and I kind of like that ‘me against the world mentality’, it’s helps to fire me up.”