Katie Taylor gained a small measure of redemption for her surprise semi-final defeat at the European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey by defeating Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva in this afternoon’s box-off to claim third spot in the lightweight division.
Taylor, the current Irish, European, world and Olympic champion recorded a unanimous points victory over Staneva in Samsun.
The Bray boxer caught her opponent with a flurry of combination shots in the third round as she began to tire and the Bulgarian fell to the canvas at one point in the round after a swing and a miss.
Taylor did more damage in the final round, connecting with a straight right and rocking her opponent with a left hook.
“It was a bit strange to be honest getting over the disappointment of the semi-finals"
All three judges scored the first three rounds 10-9 in favour of the 29-year-old Irish fighter, while the final round saw one judge award the round to Staneva.
Taylor had been widely expected to complete another flawless campaign in the Black Sea port city, with a final place guaranteeing Olympic qualification.
However, the Turkish delight anticipated turned to disaster when Azerbaijan's Yana Alekseevna caused a huge shock to inflict a first defeat on Taylor in five years.
The Bray native admitted she was pleased to emerge victorious after a difficult week and the focus will now shift to the World Championships in Kazakhstan, where a semi-final spot would assure her of the chance to defend her Olympic title in Brazil.
“It was a bit strange to be honest getting over the disappointment of the semi-finals,” she said after the fight.
“I know I have to prepare for the World Championships now and this is the start of it.
“I’m going to try and improve over the next few weeks and make things right for the Worlds.
While it was a unanimous decision from all three judges, Taylor admitted the fight was far from a formality and paid tribute to her team for the victory.
“She was a tall, tricky southpaw, the fourth southpaw I’ve boxed this week so,” she admitted.
“I was trying to implement what the guys were telling me to do and the tactics are always spot-on in every single fight and today I executed it well I think.”
Coach Zaur Antia, in Taylor’s corner since the departure of her father Pete, says there is more to come from the Olympic champion.
“From this competition we will pick some good things we have to work on,” he stated.
“She is still very strong and we will show that at the World Championships. We will be better the next time.”
Meanwhile, compatriot David Oliver Joyce can book a spot in Rio if he wins his lightweight box-off against home favourite Volkan Gokcek at 4.0pm.
