Katie Taylor eases into European semi-finals in Bucharest

Katie Taylor stopped Lavinia Mera in her quarter-final of the Women's European Boxing Championships in Bucharest. She will now meet Bulgarian Denista Eliseeva in Friday's semi-final, an opponent she knows well.

At her eye catching best, the Olympic champion forced a standing count on the local hope in the third round before two more standing counts in the fourth round ended the bout, Mera distraught that she was unable to go the distance against a fighter she has always admired

From the outset the 19-year-old, who lived for six years in Cork, was taking punishment. Taylor’s jab started the destruction, Mera never before having met an opponent as fast and strong as the Irish champion.

In the second round, Taylor unloaded combinations and even Mera’s supporters were silenced. The standing count in the third marked the beginning of the end, Taylor flashing in shots and impressively ghosting around the ring.

“The tactics have always been spot on and goes for all the girls this week,” said Taylor modestly. “She was a very young boxer and I think she is very, very inexperienced. I think she showed a lot of heart in their as well.”

Eliseeva, her opponent in the last four, is the last boxer to have gotten a disputed decision over Taylor, when they met in Bulgaria in February 2011.

Earlier, valiant efforts from Michaela Walsh and Joanne Lambe were not enough to earn them a medal.

Walsh, who was up against tough Russian fighter Elena Savaleva in the 54kg division lost 2-0, one of the three judges calling the fight a draw.

Lambe, in her first international event went out to Svetlana Staneva in the 57kg class on a unanimous decision of 3-0. "I knew it was going to be a tough fight. She was world champion, European champion and she was at the Olympics," said a disappointed Walsh.

“I got so close just to get beaten before the medal stages was a pity. But I wished my opponent the best of luck. Hopefully she can go on and get the gold. I’ll be back and I’ll be stronger.”

Walsh faced an opponent with a low guard and quick hands and although the Belfast fighter kept her poise throughout, Savaleva landed just too many in the tight contest.

Lambe was facing a more experienced opponent and one of the few boxers in her class who equalled her in height and reach. But the Carickmacross boxer chased the fight, especially in the closing rounds and although her opponent was on the canvas twice, both falls were to trips.

In the end the judges all went with Staneva.

Lambe said: “Tough fight, a very technical fight today. A lot more patience was involved. I went out in the last two rounds and I had to give it everything. I did my best.”