As the Katie Taylor hype machine went into overdrive with the Irish boxer’s semi-final victory yesterday, Ochigava had some bitter words about her adversary. According to the Russian lightweight boxer, referees and judges are biased towards the Irish star and the outcome of today’s Olympic final was already decided.
“When you go boxing against Katie Taylor, you are already minus 10 points. You’re boxing with all judges around the table,” Ochigava said. “It’s difficult boxing against all the system, but I will try like all other girls.”
Making sure she had made her point, the motormouth Russian continued: “Ireland is in a financial crisis because they’ve spent all their money on (Katie) Taylor’s referees.”
Ochigava appears to have harboured resentment against Taylor since being thrashed by the Irish athlete twice in recent finals – at the 2011 European Championships and this year’s world championships.
No doubt more choice words will be forthcoming, but somehow we think Katie Taylor can handle them.
Katie Taylor soaks up applause after winning gold for Ireland
London 2012 is the first Olympic Games in which women’s boxing has been included and Taylor’s fight has been in the spotlight across the globe.
In Ireland, however, support has reached fever pitch and work-places around the country closed early today in order to catch the bout.
Big screens have been in place at Taylor’s home town where thousands of fans have been gathering to watch her box her way to gold.
