Baku: Irish women’s boxing superstar Katie Taylor put it all down to heart after she came perilously close to losing her first fight in four years in the semi-finals of the lightweight category at the European Games.
The 28-year-old Olympic champion - who also has five world and six European crowns to her name - got the benefit of the doubt as two judges cast their deciding vote for her after the bout with Azerbaijan’s Yana Alekseevna finished 38-38 on all three cards.
Taylor - who will fight talented French pugilist Estelle Mossely in Saturday’s final - said she realised going into the fourth and final round she was up against it as her opponent, whom she beat in the world final last year, led.
“I had to go out and put the pressure on her,” said Taylor.
“It was all about heart.”
Taylor, a talented allround sportswoman who has represented Ireland in football and is also a top class Gaelic footballer, thought the decisive moment came towards the end of the round when she sent Alekseevna into the ropes.
“I think it caught the judges’ eye, they like that sort of thing,” she said.
“However, I knew it was going to be a split decision and when I saw them celebrating (the Azerbaijani coach turned to the crowd and raised his arms pumping them energetically) I thought oh oh and I was clinging onto a bit of hope.”
Taylor, who credited her father and coach Peter for always preparing her perfectly for every tournament, said she could sympathise with her valiant opponent.
“I know how it feels to lose fights and I never want to feel like that again,” she said.
“However, it is these type of close fights that keep me motivated. When you’re at the top of the tree you need these sort of bouts to keep you enthused and on your toes.
“I still enjoy it, I relish these fights and the atmosphere where every punch is cheered. I think in these sort of situations it is experience that counts.”
Taylor is one of three high-profile female Olympic gold medallists to headline these Games, along with British duo Jade Jones and Nicola Adams who added gold in taekwondo and boxing respectively.
She said the final against Mossely, who was impressive in her semi-final, would be another tough day in the ring.
“I have boxed her a few times,” said Taylor, who beat her in the European championship final last year.
“They have always been cagey affairs and it is going to be a tough fight.
“However, I feel that I am getting stronger and stronger as the tournament goes on.”
