(MAY 5) Ireland's Katie Taylor
overcame the challenge of Carol Stream,Ill based, Kristin
Carlson to record her third win in three days, this time in
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on Saturday night with a unanimous 3-0
judges verdict.
Carlson, Taylor and Lambert( in Green) at Dungarvan BC).
The Olympic champion, and four
times World titleholder, who had recorded two victories in Cork
City on Thursday (against Marija Petric champion of Croatia) and
on Friday (against two time Swiss Champion Anais Kistler) earned
a unanimous decision over Chicago schoolteacher, Carlson, a
bronze medalist at the 2014 US Nationals, at the Dungarvan BC
Sports Centre . The Cork bouts - at the Rochestown Park Hotel,
were organised by the St John's BC, Fermoy.
The win improves Taylor’s career stats to 143 victories in 150
outings – a 95% strike rate – since 2002. Carlson, who fought a
gallant fight, took a standing count off a flashing combination
in the third round before Taylor claimed the decision
Meanwhile,Irish Elite champion Lynn Harvey lost to Carlson's
Chicago team mate, Maureeca Lambert in the flyweight class. A
deserved win here for the American who was very pleased with her
performance on the night as she indicated via her Twitter
account later: "Great time in Ireland and leaving with a win.
Thank you for all your support. Great experience and great time
with my coach and teammate!!"
After her victory,in the evening's main bout, Taylor, who will
be aiming for her sixth successive European title in Bucharest,
Romania next month, thanked everyone connected with both
promotions for their support and also thanked her opponents in
Cork and Waterford .
The American visitors inc coaches received a warm welcome from
an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd - they proved excellent
Ambassadors for both club and country
Before their flight home, Kristin Carlson took time out to tell
WBAN.COM how she felt about her own performance, her thoughts on
Katie Taylor and on the reception they had received in Dungarvan.
"As far as my performance went - I think I was competitive, but
would have liked to throw a higher volume of punches. Overall I
think it was a good stepping stone in my boxing journey and only
hope to continue to get better with each fight. These are the
types of fights I would like to continue to have more of.
I think Katie is a terrific competitor and of course a great
ambassador for our sport. It was such a fun opportunity to fight
her, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The crowd at the show
and the whole Dungarvan community since our arrival were top
notch and couldn't have made for a better experience".
The IABA meantime have included Taylor - making a welcome return
to the Irish team for the first time since London 2012 - in a
five strong squad - for the 2014 Women's European Elite
championships in Bucharest, where her main challengers are
likely to include - as in London - Great Britain's Natasha
Jonas, and of course Russia's Sofya Ochigava who will be seeking
revenge for those previous European,World and Olympic final
defeats by the Bray woman.
Boxing at 2014 European Women’s Elite Championships, the 9th
edition, begins at the Polyvalent Hall in Bucharest on May 31st.
Experienced Cavan BC international Ceire Smith will wear the
Irish light-flyweight vest in Bucharest and former AIBA World
Youth bronze medalist Michaela Walsh will line out at
bantamweight.
Joanna Lambe and Clare Grace claimed silver medals at a Round
Robin tournament in Germany in March. Lambe, Grace, Walsh, Smith
and Taylor are current Irish Elite champions.
Irish Squad 2014 European Women’s Championships Bucharest,
Romania May 30th/June 8th
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG)
57kg Joanna Lambe (Carrickmacross)
60kg Katie Taylor (Bray)
69kg Clare Grace (Callan)
Team Manager: Fiona Hennigan
Coaches: Pete Taylor, Zuar Antia, Gerry Storey
