BOXING:World number one Katie Taylor begins her quest for a fourth AIBA world lightweight title on-the-trot and a place at the London 2012 Olympics in China today. The preliminary rounds of the AIBA Women's World Championships and only Olympic Qualifier for female boxers glove off at the Olympic Stadium in Qinhuangdao this afternoon (Irish time).
Taylor and the Irish squad of flyweight Ceire Smith and middleweight Sinéad Kavanagh have been in China for the last seven days ahead of the opening bell for the tournament, which was brought forward 24-hours because of a record entry.
The draw for the Championships will take place at 7am (Irish time) today with boxing to begin at 2pm (Irish time). Up to 70 boxers are expected to compete in Taylor’s lightweight category, which, along with the flyweight and middleweight classes, is one of the three Olympic weight categories for women.
Three Olympic places each are available for European boxers in the flyweight, lightweight and middleweight weight classes in China.
Khan calls for return of titles in light of Peterson drug test
The International Boxing Federation will speak to Lamont Peterson about his failed drugs test before deciding whether to strip him of their light-welterweight title and potentially return it to Amir Khan. Khan yesterday called for the return of his WBA and IBF titles after claiming Peterson’s test proved he was “a cheat”.
It emerged earlier this week that the American, who controversially beat Khan in December to capture the Bolton fighter’s belts, had tested positive for a banned steroid.
Their rematch scheduled for May 19th has subsequently been cancelled, with Khan’s American promoter Richard Schaefer calling on the boxing authorities to “do the right thing” and rule the first fight a no-contest.
The WBA have yet to comment while a spokesperson for the IBF said the body are reluctant to make a formal statement before hearing all of the evidence over the coming days. “We are still waiting to receive all the information from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, as well as to speak with Lamont Peterson,” they said.
