Katie Taylor’s Defence Of Olympic Title Falls At First Hurdle After Losing To Mira Potkonen

SAN FRANCISCO, August 15, (THEWILL) – The Irish fighter won gold at London 2012 but was abruptly sent packing from Rio after a split decision count-back went against her in the lightweight quarter-finals.

The verdicts were 39-37 38-38 37-39 meaning one judge gave the result to Taylor and another scored a draw, so the Olympic count-back ruling was brought in to deny the champion.

Taylor was handed a bye in the first round meaning her debut in Brazil would have earned her a minimum of a bronze medal if she advanced past Potkonen.

The reigning champion was ahead on the judges’ scorecards after one round but Potkonen roared back, frequently making Taylor pay for her lax defence with an accurate right hook.

Two judges favoured Potkonen heading into the fourth and final round and, despite Taylor remaining competitive until the final bell, she couldn’t do enough to avoid elimination.

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