Injury KO’s Taylor title defence

Katie Taylor, a five-time AIBA World Elite lightweight champion, has pulled out of the National Elite Championships because of a wrist injury.

Her dad and coach confirmed that the Olympic gold medallist is out of the tournament, which began at the National Stadium in Dublin last night.

“Kate picked up the injury at the World Championships and is it still has not fully healed. She has not been punching with her left hand since the Worlds,” said Pete Taylor.

Taylor senior added that his daughter’s next target will be the inaugural European games in Azerbaijan this summer and she hoped to have a few fights at home in preparation.

Meanwhile, Tipperary super-heavy Con Sheehan has pulled out of the Championships and is on the verge of turning professional.

Sheehan’s coach Martin Fennessey said that the Clonmel BC fighter, a six-time Irish Elite champion, is considering offers from the USA and Britain, but that nothing has been decided yet.

The 25-year-old, an ex-European Union Elite champion, was due to defend his super-heavyweight title at the National Stadium but didn’t weigh-in last night.

Sixteen quarter-finals were decided on the opening night of the 2015 Elite Championships at the National Stadium last evening.

Former European Elite champion Ray Moylette and Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympians John Joe Joyce and Adam Nolan advanced at the home of Irish boxing.

Moylette hammered out a unanimous decision over Dubliner Jason Conroy to move to within two wins of adding to the Elite belt he won in 2010.

Ross Hickey, also an ex-Elite champion, beat Niall Murray last night, while Joyce took a decision over Fergal Redmond.

Nolan TKO’d Waterford’s Craig McCarthy in the first round of their bout.

The Championships resume next Friday and Saturday.

All semi-finals outstanding will be decided. The finals will be held on January 23 and 24.