There are no more second chances.
Katie Taylor knows that, and so do her fans, as the Bray woman gets ready for this month’s World Championships in Kazakhstan.
The Olympic gold medallist needs to reach the semi-finals of the 60kg category to secure her place in Rio after her shock loss last month at the European qualifiers.
Her loss to Yana Alekseevna last month put her Olympic hopes in danger, and while other results may determine that she can qualify for the Olympics without making the last four of the action this month, the Irishwoman is determined to win a sixth successive world title.
And in preparation for this, she has enlisted the help of one of her former great rivals.
Taylor’s gold medal came in an epic battle against Russia’s Sofya Ochigava in London four years ago.
And ahead of this month’s action, the two fighters have been spotted sparring in Dublin this afternoon.
"Do I know you?" @KatieTaylor and Sofya Ochigava pictured after sparring in Dublin today pic.twitter.com/VfrU5v126F
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) May 10, 2016
The relationship between both boxers has sometimes been strained, but it’s clear that Taylor is hoping to get back to the stunning form that saw her claim gold four years ago, as she prepares for the biggest months of her life by sparring the southpaw.
The World Championships are due to begin on May 19th, but Ochigava will not be taking part, which has allowed her travel to Ireland this week to help Taylor’s preparation.
