Katie cruises back into first gear

KATIE TAYLOR highlighted her class as she recorded her second victory of the weekend with a unanimous decision over Germany's Maike Kluners at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre last night.

The World No 1, who routed Poland's Karolina Graczyk at the National Stadium on Friday, now improves to 134 victories – a 95pc win rate – from 141 career outings.

Kluners took a standing count in the second as the Bray woman cruised to victory in Dublin's city centre .

Taylor will meet Ukrainian champion Yulia Tsiplakova at the same venue on March 24.

"I'm delighted to get another win under my belt and I would like to thank everyone for the fantastic reception I've received here tonight and also thank Maike Kluners," said Taylor.

"It has been a long lay off from competitive action since the Olympics and it's great to have had two fights and two wins in Dublin this weekend.

"The EU Championships are on in Hungary in June and I'm looking forward to defending my title there."

Taylor's Bray BC team-mate and fellow Olympian Adam Nolan met Phil Sutcliffe, who will make his pro debut in Dundalk next month, in a three-round exhibition.

Nolan had claimed his third successive title at the Elite Championships on Friday and also scooped the Boxer of the Tournament Award.

Two-time Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes was back in action on the Bord Gáis card. The Belfast light-fly beat Aidan Metcalfe on a unanimous decision.

"He (Metcalfe) was a tough cookie," said Barnes, who missed the Elite Championships with flu – Hugh Myres claimed the vacant light-flyweight belt. "I'm sorry I had to miss the Championships but I just had no choice."