Katie Taylor battles into final

Katie Taylor survived quite a scare to set up a European games final with Estelle Mossely in Baku today.

Taylor was given the nod by two of the three judges after yesterday’s semi-final with Yana Alekseevna having been scored 38-38 and the Irish girl entered the final round behind to the home town girl.

The Olympic champion goes in search of her 18th major gold medal, though she had a notable look of relief on her face after being awarded the bout, as the Azerbaijani looked to complete a huge upset.

Yesssss @KatieTaylor turns the last round around and wins by SD #TeamIreland #Baku2015 #Legend pic.twitter.com/5MbGqVgw7R

— Colm (@cohcfc) June 26, 2015

“I was always hopeful, and just praying. It was close, as I expected, and I’m just happy to get through” admitted Taylor. “It was a close fight, but it was always going to be a close fight.”

“She’s one of the top boxers, and this is the semi-final of the European Games, but I felt I won a lot of rounds quite clearly, but there have been a few rounds given against me.”

Taylor came out for the final round behind, the judges scoring the opening three rounds, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 against the Bray woman. Taylor immediately raced into Alekseevna from the opening tone of the final round’s bell.

With the fighters hardly separated by the naked eye, Taylor landed a body shot which sent Alekseevna sprawling against the ropes with 40 seconds remaining. “Things like that definitely catch the judges’ eye,” explained Taylor.

“That cemented the fourth round for me. I felt I was down after the third round, and had to put the pressure on her again, try to win the round clearly,” said the Wicklow woman.

“I always think the judges will be fair,” admitted Taylor, allaying pre-fight fears of home-town influence.

Very close fight but deserving winner! Well done @KatieTaylor #teamÉire

— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) June 26, 2015

“It’s not something I worry about. The atmosphere was fantastic, and I relish those fights.

“Every time she landed a punch, the crowd were cheering, I could hear a few Irish shouts in there as well.”

Taylor fights Estelle Mossely of France in today’s final at 2pm Irish time. Mossely breezed past Germany’s Tasheena Bugar in a similar style to Taylor, but lacking the finesse.

Get in @KatieTaylor !!!

— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) June 26, 2015

“I’ve fought her a few times and she’s always a tricky opponent, quite cagey,” remarked Taylor. “I’ll talk to my dad about tactics and that but it’s going to be a tough battle.”

Michael O’Reilly faces a rough reception when he fights for gold against Xaybula Musalov in the men’s middleweight division. O’Reilly received a semi-final walk over, as Russian Maxim Koptyakov suffered a laceration over his eye.

The Azerbaijani crowd has been a huge support to their boxers, with head coach Billy Walsh previously admitting concerns that they could influence the judges.

The 22-year old Belfast man Sean McComb had to settle for bronze after losing out to Azerbijani Albert Slimov, losing the first two rounds and suffering a cut over his right eye due to a clash of heads.

“I’ve nothing to be ashamed of,” admitted McComb. “He’s a former World and European champion. He’s currently ranked number one in the WSB and he’s qualified for Rio. I learned a lot in there today.”

“It’s a step on for me,” admitted McComb of his European Games experience.

“I’m learning year on year and every time I come out to a competition like this I’m learning, yeah it’s a great experience.”