- Lifestyle & Sports
- 15 Aug 16
The Golden Girl of the London games is beaten in her first fight
Katie Taylor's dreams of a repeat triumph at the Olympics is over, having lost a split decision to Mira Potkonen.
The Finnish fighter got the nod after four nip-and-tuck rounds, where an uncharacteristically slow Taylor repeatedly ate straight right hands.
Potkonen was largely unfancied to spring the upset, but her aggression and power helped her to dash Irish dreams. The London 2012 champ took the first round, but was slow to the draw and ended up on the wrong end of a decision, with one judge picking the Finn having scored the fight even at 28-28.
Taylor's loss is her third in recent months; for a fighter who had coasted through the majority of her career unbeaten, it's been a terrible 2016. It will also prompt further speculation on the effect that the departure of her father Peter has had on her career.
Michael Conlan is now the only Irish fighter left in the competition, who fights again tomorrow.