Katie Taylor 10 Years At The Top
By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill
DR CK WU, President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), has hailed Katie Taylor’s consistency as inspirational.
The Bray woman entered 2016 ranked No. 1 in the World at lightweight for her ten straight year.
Pat Ryan, President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) who has worked Taylor’s corner in the past, said that what the Wicklow orthodox has achieved will probably never be surpassed in our lifetime.
Taylor’s reign began in New Delhi, India in November 2006 after she beat Argentina’s Annabella Frias to claim her first World gold, a win which lifted her to No.1 in the 60kg rankings for the first time.
Frias turned pro a year after dropping a 31-14 decision to Taylor under the old computer scoring system and is the current WBC World super-lightweight champion.
Dr. CK Wu said that AIBA salutes Taylor, the reigning Olympic, World, European, European Games, European Union and Irish champion.
He said: “What Katie Taylor has achieved over the last ten years in international competition, including the Olympic Games and AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships, has been absolutely outstanding.
“The International Boxing Association congratulates and salutes Katie. To remain at the top of our lightweight rankings for a decade is extraordinary.
“Such remarkable consistency is a testimony to the skill, ambition and determination of a truly world class boxer. She is an inspiration to our young athletes throughout the world.”
Taylor will be aiming for her sixth successive title at the World Women’s Elite Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Kazakhstan in May.
However, she could be qualified for Rio 2016 before Kazakhstan if she finishes in the top three at the European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey in April.
Taylor is currently in No. 1 spot in the 60kg rankings on 2,400 points, 850 points ahead of France’s Estelle Mosselly who is in second spot.
Michael Conlan, the only Irish boxer besides Taylor to claim World Elite gold, finished out 2016 year ranked No. 1 in the bantam class.
Joe Ward and Michael O’Reilly are ranked No. 3 at light-heavy and middle and Brendan Irvine is ranked No. 7 at light-fly.
