Taylor reaches world final

Katie Taylor's relentless march toward a world title continued today after she cruised past reigning world champion Tatyana Chalaya from Russia (23-6) in the semi-finals of the Women's World Boxing Championship in India.

Taylor, ranked number one in the world, beat Chechnya born Chalaya, ranked number two, in a repeat of last September's European lightweight final' which the Irish woman also won equally convincingly.

The 20-year-old, from the St Fergal's club in Bray, who is now guaranteed at least a silver medal, will now meet Argentinean puncher Annabella Farias in tomorrow's final.

Farias, who beat Philippines-born southpaw Michele Martinez in the other semi-final is a bit of an unknown quantity.

But as coach Peter Taylor, who is in his daughter's corner in New Delhi points out, Farias has also beaten Lucie Bertaud from France, who is ranked at number six in the world.

He said: 'We are delighted with today's win and the manner of the victory. The Russian girl was very wary of Katie after the European final and she didn't commit herself much and it never descended into a brawl.

'Overall, it was a very controlled performance from Katie and she was very patient throughout the fight and didn't rush anything and just kept picking up the points throughout the bout.

'She is in a very confident mood out here and she can't wait to get in the ring tomorrow for what should be a very exciting final.

'I watched the Argentinean girl in her semi-final and I expected that Martinez would win, but the Farias put on a great performance and she has also beat Lucie Bertaud from France, who is ranked sixth in the world.

'A few of the boxers who are at number one in the rankings went out at the semi-finals stage today so it just shows that we cannot take anything for granted.'

'Everything is now geared toward tomorrow. It is going to be exciting, and it is going to be tense, but we are all looking forward to it.'

Taylor has beaten American national champion Caroline Barry on the 15-point rule (16-1) in round one, Finland's Eva Walstrom, on the 15-point rule (19-4) in round two, Romania's Florianna Popa on the 15-point rule (20-5) in round two, and Chalya to reach tomorrow's final.

Today's win over the Russian was not a 15-point rule decision despite the margin of victory as the fight went the three-round distance.