Katie Taylor Claims Irish Lightweight Title
Katie Taylor has been crowned Irish Lightweight Champions. The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist won the vacant title by defeating Shauna O’Keeffe at the National Stadium.
That's a 5th Irish title for Taylor, but the first she's won in the ring. O'Keeffe is Taylor's first challenger the Bray boxer's four previous wins came via walkovers as no opponent entered against her.
It's Taylor's first success without her coach and father, Pete Taylor in her corner. Taylor says the stress of watching his daughter in the ring as one of the reasons he is taking a break.
"We are trying new things at the moment so we'll see how it goes," he told RTÉ Sport. Her brother, Lee Taylor was in her corner for Friday night's victory.
Her father plans to return for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers in Istanbul next April and the World Championships in Kazakhstan next May.