4th Nov "Taylor wins in Chicago"

World and three times European lightweight (60Kg) champion Katie Taylor claimed yet another victory  after stopping Canadian Katie Dunn at the University of Illinois in Chicago last night. Taylor, of the St Fergal's club in Bray, stopped the three times Pan American Games champion on the 15 point rule (15-0) in round one of their light welterweight clash (63Kg). The bout, which took place before the Men's 2007 AIBA  World Championships finals, was being used to help promote Women's boxing as a future Olympic sport. Women's boxing has been ruled out for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. However, the female version of the noble art is being strongly tipped to make it's debut at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Meanwhile, Frankie Gavin claimed an historic gold medal for England at last nights World Championships. The Birmingham southpaw convincingly beat Italian Dominico Valentino-who defeated Irelands Eric Donovan in the last 16- to finish on top of the 60Kg podium.

Chinas Shiming Zou, who beat Irelands Paddy Barnes in the quarter final on Friday, retained his world light flyweight title last night following a classy 17-3 win over Harry Tanamor of the Philippines. Barnes, from the Holy Family club in Belfast, qualified for the 2008 Olympics courtesy of reaching the last eight.

Russia took home three gold medals last night, while the hosts USA and Italy claimed two gold's apiece. Italian super heavyweight Robert Cammarelle won Italy's second gold last evening, adding to the European Championships gold medal he won after beating Ireland's Cathal McMonagle at the National Stadium in Dublin last June.

Fours boxers, who beat Irish opponents in earlier rounds, Chinas Shiming Zou, Italy's Dominco Valentino, Venezuela's Alfonso Blanco and Russia Rakhim Chakhkiev were competing in last nights finals. However, Zou was the only one of the talented quartet to go all the way.

The Irish squad will arrive home from the World Championships tomorrow morning (November 5th).

There will be two final Olympic qualifying tournaments for European boxers in Italy (Pascara) and Greece (Athens)

in February and April next year.