Katie Taylor is through to the semi-final's of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships after her quarter-final opponent withdrew due to injury.
Sofya Ochigava of Russia did not turn up for the weigh-in this morning as she is being treated for a knee injury. Taylor was granted a walkover and automatically progressed to the semi-finals. She will take to the ring at 0600 on Sunday morning, and should she win that last-four battle will content the final at 0600 on Monday morning.
Ochigava sustained the injury during her last-16 victory over Brazil’s Araujo dos Santos. The fight with Katie Taylor was due to be a rematch of the London 2012 Olympic final, which saw Taylor win gold.
"The Chinese boxers have such a strong team and it's going to be a tricky, tricky fight" - Katie Taylor
Taylor will now face Jinhua Yin on Sunday after the Chinese fighter beat Bulgaria’s Denista Eliseeva.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport this morning, Taylor said she expected a tough fight in the semi-final.
"There are no easy fights at this stage of the competition anyway, so no matter who won the fight it was going to be difficult," said Taylor.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. The Chinese boxers have such a strong team and it's going to be a tricky, tricky fight."
The winner of Sunday's semi-final will face Estelle Mossely of France or Azerbaijani Yana Allekseeva for the 60kg gold medal.
The Irish Olympic champion is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal as she bids for a fifth successive title.
