Taylor loses for first time in five years- Olympic qualification on hold

Katie Taylor lost for the first time in five years in the Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey this afternoon.

The record breaking female fight sensation was out potined  39-37 by Yana Alekseevna on all three judges score cards in the semi final of the European Olympic qualifiers. 

The reverse doesn’t just bring to an end a massive winning run it puts on hold the Irish fighter legends Rio 2016 dream. Victory over Alekseevna, who ran the World and European champion close in the European Games, would have secured Taylor a place on the plane to Rio.

As is stands now the Bray BC graduate will now have to secure a semi final berth in the World championships  in Kazakhstan.

Taylor’s slate no reads 165-8, her last defeat was a controversial reverse at a multi-nation tournament in Bulgaria.

One of Ireland’s greatest ever sports stars has won a Olympic gold, five world championships, six European titles, five European Union crowns and one European Games title.