Irish Amateur Stars Taylor, Gallagher Win AIBA Awards

AIBA have confirmed that Katie Taylor will receive the 2012 AIBA World Elite Female Boxer of the Year Award for an historic third time.

The 2012 AIBA Award Ceremony will take place in Yerevan, Armenia on December 7th.

Taylor, who scooped the prestigious AIBA Award in 2008 and 2010, is the current Olympic, World, European and European Union lightweight champion.

The 26-year-old claimed gold at the AIBA World Women’s Championships and Olympic Games this year and also picked up the Best Boxer Award from both tournaments in China and the UK.

“Katie has won the award three times now and that has never been done before. It’s a great honour and we’re absolutely delighted”, said Taylor’s coach and dad, Pete Taylor.

Meanwhile, Tyrone’s Michael Gallagher – who scooped the Best Referee and Judge (R&J) Award at the 2012 Olympics – will be presented with the 2012 Best World R&J Award in Yerevan.

This is the second time that the Omagh man, a member of the Clonoe BC, has won the top award.

The 2012 AIBA Annual Awards will take place in conjunction with the final banquet of the 2012 AIBA World Youth Championships.

Yerevan has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Irish boxing in the past as Joe Ward won light-middleweight gold in the city at the 2009 AIBA World Junior Championships.