Ireland’s Katie Taylor ensured she will have the opportunity to defend her Olympic lightweight title at Rio 2016 after reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Boxing Championships ©AIBA

Ireland’s Katie Taylor ensured she will have the opportunity to defend her Olympic lightweight title at Rio 2016 after reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Boxing Championships here in Kazakhstan’s capital.

The five-time world gold medallist proved too strong for AMBC American Confederation champion Victoria Torres of Mexico, who was unable to deal with her opponent’s repeated attacks in a unanimous points loss. 

Taylor suffered a shock semi-final defeat at last month’s International Boxing Association (AIBA) European Olympic Qualification Event in Samsun in Turkey meaning she had to reach at least the last four here to secure her Rio 2016 berth.

"It’s definitely a big weight off my shoulders," said Taylor after moving a step closer to a record sixth world title.

"Defending the title has been a dream of mine since London 2012.

"I knew I was going to need to dig deep at some stage but at times I really found it hard to get my distance and just had to stand there and box."

France’s Estelle Mossely will be joining Taylor at this year's Olympic Games after beating Azerbaijan’s Yana Alekseevna with another commanding performance.

First into the ring in today's evening session were Britain’s Olympic flyweight champion Nicola Adams and Chinese Taipei’s Yu-Ting Lin with the former continuing her bid for a first world title and the latter aiming to secure a quota spot for Rio 2016.

Having already booked her ticket to Brazil, Adams' battling win means that Ukraine’s Tetyana Kob, third at the AIBA European Olympic Qualification Event, has earned an Olympic quota place.

German revelation Azize Nimani’s brave challenge for an Olympic berth was halted by Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova, who took their contest and the Rio 2016 spot by unanimous decision.

Sarah Ourahmoune was confirmed as France’s first female Olympic boxer, winning by a walkover against Cancan Ren with the Chinese unable to compete due to food poisoning.

World and Olympic middleweight champion Claressa Shields claimed a unanimous points win over young Kazakh Violleta Knyazeva
World and Olympic middleweight champion Claressa Shields claimed a unanimous points win over young Kazakh Violleta Knyazeva ©AIBA

World and Olympic middleweight champion Claressa Shields of the United States defeated young Kazakh Violleta Knyazeva 3-0 with the top seed’s win meaning Andreia Bandeira, third at the AIBA American Olympic Qualification Event in Buenos Aires in March, joins Adriana Dos Santos Araujo in the Brazil team at Rio 2016.

Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen then overcame Morocco’s Khadija Mardi to guarantee herself an Olympic place, along with experienced Dutchwoman Nouchka Fontijn, who dashed the French team’s hopes of a third Rio 2016 spot by beating Erika Guerrier by unanimous decision.

Earlier in the afternoon session, featuring non-Olympic categories, reigning flyweight world champion Marlen Esparza of the US continued her sparkling form at light flyweight with a crucial win against tricky Mongolian Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan.

Awaiting her in the semi-finals on Thursday (May 26) is China’s Yuyan Wang, a unanimous points winner against the Philippines' Josie Gabuco.

North Korea’s Yong Gum U faces Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay, who beat Indian second seed Sarjubala Shamjetsabam in what was a repeat of the 2014 final in Jeju City in South Korea.

Bulgarian bantamweight Stoyka Petrova once again looked strong as she edged a split decision against Russian top seed Saiana Sagataeva.

It sets up a semi-final tie against the US’s Christina Cruz, winner of an enthralling encounter with France’s Delphine Mancini.

Home fighter Dina Zholaman will meet China’s Piaopiao Liu in the second bantamweight semi-final after they overcame Japan’s Aya Shinmoto and India’s Zareen Nikhat respectively.

The Bulgarian team continued its winning ways at featherweight as Denitsa Eliseeva set up a last-four contest with Italy’s last competitor, top seed Alessia Mesiano, thanks to a consummate display against Azerbaijan’s Mahsati Hamzayeva.

In the second semi-final, Kazakhstan’s Aizhan Khojabekova will meet India’s Sonia Lather after the home favourite got the better of China’s Meiling Gao.

Kellie Harrington has become only the second Irishwoman to claim a World Championship medal after Katie Taylor
Kellie Harrington has become only the second Irishwoman to claim a World Championship medal after Katie Taylor ©AIBA

At light welterweight, Kellie Harrington earned a unanimous points win against Kazakhstan’s Zarina Tsoloyeva to guarantee at least third-place honours and become only the second Irishwoman to claim a World Championship medal after Taylor.

In the other half of the draw, China’s Wenlu Yang overcame Britain’s Sandy Ryan and will now go on to meet Australian Skye Nicolson, a comprehensive winner against Turkey’s Gamze Basar.

A second-round TKO win for the host nation’s Valentina Khalzova saw her safely through to the welterweight semi-finals where she will be up against Germany’s Nadine Apetz, winner against American Naomi Graham.

Finnish newcomer Elina Gustafsson maintained her impressive form by defeating the Russian top seed Saadat Abdulaeva and will need to do so again if she is to overcome China’s Hong Gu.

China’s defending light heavyweight champion Xiaoli Yang put in a commanding performance to beat Russia’s Liubov Pashina.

Her next opponent, the US’s Franchon Crews, looked unstoppable against Hungary’s Maria Kovacs and powered her way into the semi-finals with some big hitting. 

Defeat brings an end to Kovacs' quest for a third global crown in what will be her last ever appearance at a World Championships.

Wrapping up the afternoon session, American heavyweight Shadasia Green defeated top-seeded Russian Zenfira Magomedalieva and will next meet Turkey’s Sennur Demir.

Kazakhstan’s Lazzat Kungeibayeva faces China’s Shijin Wang after the home favourite comfortably beat India’s Seema Poonia.

To read our live blog from the sixth day's action click here.