Dominic O’Rourke, the president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA), has hailed the impressive performance of Katie Taylor following her incredible hat-trick in Denmark last Saturday.
Taylor claimed an historic third gold medal on the trot for Ireland at the sixth annual Women’s European Champion-ships in Vejle, Denmark after completely outclassing Sandra Brugger.
The St Fergal’s club woman stopped her Swiss opponent on the 15-point rule in round two after opening up an 8–0 lead at the bell for the end of the first round.
It was another phenomenal performance from the 21-year-old Irish woman, who racked up 49 points in Denmark and conceded just four in her four bouts, stopping three opponents inside the distance.
And in a double celebration for the reigning 60kg world champion, she was also presented with the boxer of the tournament award in Denmark.
Commenting on the victory, Dominic O’Rourke des-cribed Taylor as a marvellous ambassador for Irish sport.
He said: “It is unbelievable what Katie has achieved over the last few years and I don’t think any Irish athlete has won three European titles in a row and also a world title.
“She is in a different class completely and this is another very proud moment for the IABA. Her coaching staff and everyone involved with the squad in Denmark also deserve enormous credit for this win.”
Taylor arrived home to a heroine’s reception at Dublin Airport last Sunday and said she was over the moon with her win. She will meet Canadian Katie Dunn, a two-time Pan American champion, on Sunday October 28 in an exhibition at the Men’s World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, which began last Tuesday in Chicago.
The bout is being used to promote women’s boxing as a future Olympic sport. Women’s boxing has been ruled out for next year’s Olympics in Beijing but looks likely to make its debut at the 2012 games in London.
Gary Keegan, who directs the IABA’s High Performance Unit, believes that there are few athletes in the world who can match Katie Taylor’s level of consistency. Taylor, who had her father and coach Peter Taylor along with Pat Ryan in her corner in Vejle, is a product of the High Performance Unit.
Keegan was full of praise for the St Fergal’s Bray club woman following her historic hat-trick. “Amazing is one of the words I can find to describe Katie’s performance in Denmark as she was head and shoulders about all her opponents,” he said.
“There is no one involved in women’s boxing, and indeed very few people involved in any sport, that can match her level of consistency over the last few years.
“Everyone involved with the IABA is absolutely thrilled with her performance in Denmark and it is another proud moment for our sport. ”
Upon her return to Dublin, Katie Taylor said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have retained my European title. I wanted to make sure that I won in Denmark before I travelled to Chicago and I was very pleased with the way I boxed at the European Championships.
“The semi-final was a tough bout and I had to keep my concentration as the Ukrainian is an experienced boxer, but I felt I handled it well to get to the finals.”
In pro news, unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy is lining up a $1 payday with WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik for early in the New Year.
Duddy dropped English challenger Prince Arron three times at the National Stadium in Dublin last Saturday night en route to a second round stoppage.
The one-sided encounter was a stepping stone toward an eventual shot at Pavlik’s double world title for Duddy – although in truth Arron, who was called in at short notice, and put in a brave but futile performance, is not at a high-performance level.
The 19-year-old Englishman looked very nervous and out of his depth in the second round, and was even backing off from following through on his own punches for fear of reprisal. Duddy didn’t need to be asked twice before opting to take the early route to victory and a step closer to a clash with the Ohio-born Pavlik, who is of German/Irish descent.
Pavlik dethroned Jermain Taylor to clinch the middleweight crown last Septem-ber and a re-match between the two looks likely for next spring.
However, before that goes ahead, Pavlik’s co-manager Cameron Dunkin has been talking up a showdown between their man and the Derry-born, New York-based Duddy.
According to Dunkin, the fight will go ahead at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on 26 January next, and Dunkin believes it would be another crazy night.
He said: “It’s going to be crazier that the last time when Kelly fought Taylor. Atlantic City will be great.”
Commenting on the speculation linking Duddy and Pavlik, Duddy’s promoter and co-manager Eddie McLough-lin, speaking before last Saturday’s clash with Arron, revealed that contact had been made between them and Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum.
He said: “There has been contact with Bob Arum… If a fight between John and Pavlik does go ahead it won’t be in Madison Square Garden but in Atlantic City, as Madison Square Garden is booked out.
“Obviously John would like to challenge for a world title, that has always been his target. But first he has to win on Saturday night and we don’t want to be looking too far ahead.”
McLoughlin’s sentiments are being echoed by Duddy, who had been training at the St Fergal’s club in Bray – home club of Katie Taylor.
He said: “Everyone wants to know about the future and talk about European titles and world titles. But I never give it a second thought because I always need to stay focused on the job at hand. I am fit, hungry and ready to rumble.”
If the Pavlik–Duddy fight gets the green light, then Duddy’s proposed appearance at The King’s Hall in Belfast on 8 December next could be scuppered.
6th Women’s European Championships Results –
60kg division
Preliminary: Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Hristina Athanasopoulou (Greece) (15–0; referee stopped contest due to outscoring in r2)
Quarter-final: Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Mc de la Guia Guerra (Spain) (KO in r1: Taylor was 8–0 up before she knocked out her opponent in the first)
Semi-final: Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Yana Zavyalova (Ukraine) (11–4)
Final: Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Sandra Brugger (Switzerland) (15-0) (15–0; referee stopped contest due to outscoring in r2)
Boxer of the Tournament Award: Katie Taylor (Ireland)
