Business as usual: Taylor wins her eighteenth major medal

Katie Taylor this morning confirmed Ireland’s third medal at the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Bray lightweight won her quarter final against Swedish youngster Ida Lundblad by unanimous decision after winning every round (40-36 x2 and 40-34).

Taylor started the first circling her opponent and using her lightening hand speed whenever the two engaged. In the second Taylor decided to stand and trade with her opponent more, scoring impressive four and five-punch combinations at will.

The style was really turned on in the third round with the Bray boxer switching to southpaw, dropping her hands and slipping the tireless Swede’s punches. In the final stanza Taylor continued to out-speed, out-muscle, and out-think her opponent to take the win.

The victory confirmed a frankly amazing eighteenth major international medal for the 28 year old Taylor who has a solid claim on being the greatest female boxer of all time.

In the semi finals Taylor will face Azeri boxer Yana Alekseevna, whom she beat in the final of the 2014 World Championships last year, on Friday at 8:45am Irish time.