The decider will happen in the ring tomorrow, but there’s already some smack talk going down before Katie Taylor’s Olympic final bout.
Slava Malamud, a journalist with a Russian daily sports paper Sport-Express, has quoted Katie’s opponent Sofya Ochivaga as saying; ‘Ireland is in a financial crisis because they’ve spent all their money on Taylor’s referees’.
Ochivaga, who has twice lost to Katie in recent finals, is also quoted as saying; ‘She wets herself against some boxers, but those she doesn’t respect she comes out swinging with those 7-punch combos’.
While Taylor herself remained characteristically humble after her semi-final win today, it’s clear that her Russian opponent is playing an entirely different game.
Reporter Malamud backed up his countrywoman though, saying; ‘ To be fair to Ochigava, there’s absolutely no doubt the refs are securely in Katie Taylor’s corner. Today’s semifinal was a joke #London2012.’
Responding to criticism of his tweets, Malamud told Irish fans to ‘relax’ and stated ‘I am not your enemy.’ He also made a comment about the ‘agressiveness’ of Irish people.
Say what you will Malamud, and for that matter Ochivaga. We’ll stay quiet, and let Katie do the talking in the ring tomorrow afternoon…
