The Irish lightweight had a comfortable 8-0 win over Denica Eliseeva of Bulgaria in the semi final.

Taylor, who beat Eliseeva 8-1 in in June to claim her second European Union gold medal on the trot, dominated all four rounds at the Nadezhda Sports Complex to guarantee herself at least a silver medal.
 

The Bray woman, who is targeting her fourth consecutive European title, will meet Meryem Aslan Zeybek of Turkey in Sunday's final.
 

Zeybek came from behind to beat Aleksandra Sydorenko of the Ukraine 6-4.
 

Taylor has yet to concede a point in the Ukraine.

She stopped Kosovare Buzuku of Sweden in the first round of their quarter-final last night.
 

The reigning world champion was 4-0 when the bout was halted.

Since it was announced last month that women's boxing would make its debut at the 2012 Olympics in London, Taylor has been singled out as a hot favourite to win gold.
 

Taylor's trainer and father Peter admits that she is feeling the pressure of having to contend with the intense media interest.
 

He said: "There has always been a media interest in Katie.

"But since it was announced that women's boxing will be an Olympic sport it has got particularly intense, even out here in the Ukraine.
 

"This is the first major women's tournament since the Olympic announcement and the spotlight is firmly on Katie.

"She is feeling the pressure and she was a bit nervous against the Swede.

"A lot of people expect her to just show up and win gold.

"If only it was so simple.

"Katie has to fight for everything she gets and opponents all raise their game against her.

"She's the one they all want to beat and she has to maintain a high level of performance at all times."


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