As Katie Taylor entered Bucharest's Polyvalent Hall from one corner yesterday, Sofya Ochigava was walking out the other. It's
possible Olympic champion Taylor and silver medallist Ochigava saw each other for the first time since the London Games almost two years ago.
Taylor was in her usual wall-eyed other world climbing into the ring for the first time here. But the enduring rivalry that stretches back to before London 2012 could be extended to the end of this week and Saturday’s lightweight final.
The mischievous Russian, who attempted to generate a public exchange of trash talk with Taylor during the Olympics, won her second bout of the tournament with guile and clever counter punching. Taylor won hers unanimously against Switzerland’s Sandra Brugger alternatively with hurtful power and elusive speed, a standing count for Brugger in the first round after a staggering right hand setting the tone and presaging a tough, bruising eight minutes.
There is no seeding in the tournament and the two won't meet unless they get to the final, where a win would be Taylor's sixth European title in succession. Her European trophy trail reaches back to the first in Norway in 2005.
Victory came at the expense of a fighter she knows well. Brugger, ranked fifth in Europe, has been to Ireland and Bray, saw the sights and took the punishment.
Taylor beat her in a warm-up before the Olympics and also won in the 2007 European final in Denmark. After yesterday, Brugger seems no closer to causing an upset.
Of the 32 fights completed on day two, it was only Taylor’s percussive blows that could travel to the heart of the seating area, her first stunning round drawing a ripple of applause from the crowd as she ripped into her opponent. From there it was a case of the amiable Swiss fighter praying she would or could last the distance. The subtleties of Taylor’s jab and backhand, her movement and her aggressive style all came together to overwhelm Brugger and, aside from dropping the tempo in the fourth round, there was no opening anywhere any time for the Swiss.
‘Bit harder’
“It’s a relief,” said Taylor. “Against a good opponent too. The more you box against someone like her, the more you get to know them so it does sometimes make it a small bit harder.
“We’ve seen each other a few times before alright. But you know you just had to stay focused in here today. It was great to get a good start. That first round really helped to get some of the momentum on my side, which I think is important in big competitions like these.”
Of the standing count, that served a purpose too. “It’s always good to catch the judge’s eye early on in the fight,” said Taylor. “It certainly does no harm to do that.”
There were some concerns about the state of the ring in which Taylor fought. The canvas stretched over the surface was not tight and shifted when the boxers changed direction.
Irish management will be looking for that to be corrected before Ireland's Claire Grace steps in today for her 69kg bout with Turkey's Kara Guluzar. "Every time Katie jumped forward it was moving but it was the same for both girls," said father and coach Pete Taylor.
“But Katie depends so much on her legs as well. We’ll speak to the team manager today and she’ll speak to the technical delegate. I think a few people have complained about it already.”
Michaela Walsh
Taylor meets Romania’s Lavina Mera in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Belfast bantamweight Michaela Walsh was the first Irish boxer of the day to register a win. Her unanimous decision over Belarussian, Helina Bruyevigh puts her into the last 16, where she meets 2011 European bronze medallist Ivanna Krupena of the Ukraine.
Walsh also controlled her fight with a fine left jab before beginning to land her backhand. Not unlike her illustrious compatriot Paddy Barnes, Walsh also possesses a grandstanding Belfast patter.
“I couldn’t miss with the back hand,” she said. “I enjoy the pressure. Put the pressure on me and I’ll win. I hope I can go all the way now.”
