Three wins for Taylor in Cork and Dungarvan makes it 143 wins from 150 fights since 2002 – by Michael O’Neill

(MAY 5) Ireland’s Katie Taylor overcame the challenge of Carol Stream,Ill based, Kristin Carlson to record her third win in three days, this time in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on Saturday night with a unanimous 3-0 judges verdict.

Carlson, Taylor and Lambert( in Green) at Dungarvan BC).

The Olympic champion, and four times World titleholder, who had recorded two victories in Cork City on Thursday (against Marija Petric champion of Croatia) and on Friday (against two time Swiss Champion Anais Kistler) earned a unanimous decision over Chicago schoolteacher, Carlson, a bronze medalist at the 2014 US Nationals, at the Dungarvan BC Sports Centre . The Cork bouts – at the Rochestown Park Hotel, were organised by the St John’s BC, Fermoy.

The win improves Taylor’s career stats to 143 victories in 150 outings – a 95% strike rate – since 2002. Carlson, who fought a gallant fight, took a standing count off a flashing combination in the third round before Taylor claimed the decision

Meanwhile,Irish Elite champion Lynn Harvey lost to Carlson’s Chicago team mate, Maureeca Lambert in the flyweight class. A deserved win here for the American who was very pleased with her performance on the night as she indicated via her Twitter account later: “Great time in Ireland and leaving with a win. Thank you for all your support. Great experience and great time with my coach and teammate!!”

After her victory,in the evening’s main bout, Taylor, who will be aiming for her sixth successive European title in Bucharest, Romania next month, thanked everyone connected with both promotions for their support and also thanked her opponents in Cork and Waterford .

The American visitors inc coaches received a warm welcome from an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd – they proved excellent Ambassadors for both club and country

Before their flight home, Kristin Carlson took time out to tell WBAN.COM how she felt about her own performance, her thoughts on Katie Taylor and on the reception they had received in Dungarvan.

“As far as my performance went – I think I was competitive, but would have liked to throw a higher volume of punches. Overall I think it was a good stepping stone in my boxing journey and only hope to continue to get better with each fight. These are the types of fights I would like to continue to have more of.

I think Katie is a terrific competitor and of course a great ambassador for our sport. It was such a fun opportunity to fight her, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The crowd at the show and the whole Dungarvan community since our arrival were top notch and couldn’t have made for a better experience”.

The IABA meantime have included Taylor – making a welcome return to the Irish team for the first time since London 2012 – in a five strong squad – for the 2014 Women’s European Elite championships in Bucharest, where her main challengers are likely to include – as in London – Great Britain’s Natasha Jonas, and of course Russia’s Sofya Ochigava who will be seeking revenge for those previous European,World and Olympic final defeats by the Bray woman.

Boxing at 2014 European Women’s Elite Championships, the 9th edition, begins at the Polyvalent Hall in Bucharest on May 31st.

Experienced Cavan BC international Ceire Smith will wear the Irish light-flyweight vest in Bucharest and former AIBA World Youth bronze medalist Michaela Walsh will line out at bantamweight.

Joanna Lambe and Clare Grace claimed silver medals at a Round Robin tournament in Germany in March. Lambe, Grace, Walsh, Smith and Taylor are current Irish Elite champions.

Irish Squad 2014 European Women’s Championships Bucharest, Romania May 30th/June 8th

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG)
57kg Joanna Lambe (Carrickmacross)
60kg Katie Taylor (Bray)
69kg Clare Grace (Callan)

Team Manager: Fiona Hennigan
Coaches: Pete Taylor, Zuar Antia, Gerry Storey