Taylor has work to do before rematch

KATIE TAYLOR won’t be distracted by a possible European Championship final showdown against old foe Sofya Ochigava when she fights Sweden’s Helena Falk in today’s semi-final in Rotterdam.

Russian fighter Ochigava, who fights Bulgarian Denista Eliseeva in the other semi-final, ended Taylor’s 42-fight unbeaten run at a grand prix event in the Czech Republic last year and despite being keen to exact revenge, the four-time European champion is fully focused on today’s mission, according to Taylor’s coach and father, Peter.

Taylor senior insisted his daughter and the Russian will both have their work cut out today to set up the much-anticipated rematch tomorrow.

He said: “They’re both in against world-class opponents and nothing can be taken for granted. It has only been a few weeks since Katie beat the Swedish girl but she’s very dangerous.

“The Bulgarian girl is also very tricky and she has a lot of experience at this level. Katie is the only one to have beaten her in the last few years. There’s no way we’re looking beyond the semi-finals to a final with anyone. Katie’s very proud of the fact that she is the world and European champion and she wants to keep it that way.

“Today’s semi-final will be Katie’s fourth fight in five days and hopefully she can reach the final and make that five in six days. If she does win tomorrow we’ll then focus on who she’ll face in the final.”

Meanwhile, the National U21 Championships semi-finals will be decided at the National Stadium in Dublin tonight.