The Bray boxer lost on a split decision.
Katie Taylor has been eliminated from the Olympics after losing her fight to Finland’s Mira Potkonen. After a tense and even bout, the judges scored the fight 39-37, 38-38, 37-39.
The defeat was only Taylor’s 10th defeat in 178 bouts and is another blow to Ireland’s medal chances at Rio.
Taylor took the first round, but after that the momentum of the fight swung in favour of Potkonen. By the fourth round, Jimmy McGee noted that Taylor was the busier of the two fighters, and Potkonen took Taylor’s attacks well.
Speakign with RTE, Taylor said that she “thought she (Potkonen) probably won the second round but I though the other three rounds went my way. I should be beating those girls. I don’t know what to say about it really”.
Here’s how events unfolded.
BREAKING: Katie Taylor beaten by Finland's Mira Potkonen on a split decision in #Rio2016. pic.twitter.com/wXBj4MgTOZ
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) August 15, 2016
The fighters were level on score cards. One went 39-37 to Taylor, one 39-37 to Potkonen and one 38-38. The judges then award to Potkonen.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2016
I thought she'd done enough. Clearly won the third round and the judge went against her.
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) August 15, 2016
Robbed.
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) August 15, 2016
Yep. #Rio2016 #Katie pic.twitter.com/JYZ8lhGw0h
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) August 15, 2016
Katie Taylor owes us nothing. 5 World Championships, more European/EU titles than you can shake a stick at, and Olympic Gold. Immense.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) August 15, 2016
Oh no. Katie, it took the fight of her life from the #FIN. You're our champ for life. #TeamIreland
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Ciaran_Gally/status/765190191107678208
Taylor's owes #IRL nothing. Can have no complaints about that. Beaten by aggression. Spent most of the fight on the back foot.
— Darren Cleary (@RadioCleary) August 15, 2016
And then there was 1. @mickconlan11
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 15, 2016
My god that is heart breaking! @KatieTaylor a gladiator as always!
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) August 15, 2016
Changing a winning formula cost Katie Taylor https://t.co/01QckXhLM3
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2016
Katie Taylor admits it has been a very difficult year as she reflects on losing Olympic crown https://t.co/mrA7PmWJhl
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2016
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
