Taylor named world's best female boxer

Ireland’s Katie Taylor was today named the best woman boxer of the year for the second time.

Taylor, of Bray, Co Wicklow, was named by AIBA, the international boxing association, as its top female fighter for 2010 after winning her third consecutive world lightweight title last month.

Taylor, 24, beat Chinese fighter Cheng Dong in the final in Barbados in what was her 100th victory from 106 bouts since 2001.

Her dominance has already made her a hot tip for a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics, when women’s boxing is allowed for the first time since 1904.

Irish Amateur Boxing Association president Tommy Murphy said that Taylor is an inspiration to Ireland’s up and coming boxers and a fantastic ambassador for Irish sport throughout the world.

He said: “What Katie has achieved over the last number of years has been absolutely astonishing and we are delighted and very proud that she is receiving this award from AIBA in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sport.

“Katie is a fantastic ambassador for Irish amateur boxing and for Irish sport. Her achievements speak for themselves and all involved with amateur boxing in this country are immensely proud of her achievements.”

Taylor, who also won the AIBA award in 2008, will be presented with the 2010 crown in Kazakhstan on November 2.

Russian world and European light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, 25, was named the best elite male boxer.

Shaban Shahplangov of Azerbaijan picked up the award for best youth boxer after taking the youth world flyweight title on home soil at the AIBA Youth World Championships in Baku in April.

Chuanliang Zhang of China won the best coach award while Terry Smith, who has just been elected as chairman of the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association, was named as the international technical official.

Poland’s Adam Kusior was named as the best referee and the best judge award was won by Rakhymzhan Rysbayev of Kazakhstan.