TEAM IRELAND SUFFERED another boxing defeat in Tokyo on Monday as Michaela Walsh lost out by unanimous decision to Italy’s Irma Testa in the women’s 57kg featherweight last 16.
It comes shortly after captain Brendan Irvine was eliminated on a split decision by Carlo Paalam in the Kokugikan Arena.
The opening round saw Testa swing wildly but connect with little. It was close and cagey with Walsh edging it for three of the judges.
The Italian police officer in training took control of the second and landed with a long jab. Walsh, who won bronze at the 2018 European Championships, struggled to dictate the pace and all five judges gave the second to Testa.
The final round kicked off with a bruising exchange before the red corner found her range once more. The Belfast boxer remained competitive and while it looked closer than the unanimous decision suggests, the Italian earned her victory.
“It was nip and tuck. She is very quick. She hits with tips and taps and moves. I felt it was a great fight. It was just her day today,” Walsh told RTE after her debut.
“My brother now, just rooting all the way for him. Hoping he can take it back for the Walsh household.”
Well done Katie
She did great . The German girl was no pushover but Katie made it look easy. She’s the real deal. Commentators were talking about the current champ being 40-1 but I bet Katie smokes her. Maybe One or two more warm up fights but Taylor is ready right now !
Go on you good thing
Great performance. Very relaxed and was in total control. Class act Katie
Congrats Katie onward and upward,the greatest Female boxer of all time is there
Champ! Go on katie. To do this on such a big stage too!
By far our most successful sports person ever
@Cian Morris: Two world titles in a pro sport beats it.
@Cian Morris: stop stop
@Gary: An Irish sportsperson who I always feel is massively underappreciated by many Irish people is Padraig Harrington. Not many golfers out there win a major let alone 3.
Cian will you get off the wine.
@Cian Morris: Sean Kelly….. google him if you have too.
@ML: Golf isn’t a sport. It’s a Game
Ah Ryan will ya stop trolling or stop joining Cian for the Buckfast.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: you call yourself eric djemba djemba that is all
@Cian Morris: she’s not even our most successful pro boxer yet. So maybe a little quick off the mark there.
Great stuff Katie a lot more relaxed than the last night.dublin the 02 is calling
Legend
Maith an cailin
Stop stop