Offaly's Walsh through to medal bout after 'masterful' display at world championships

Tullamore boxer Gráinne Walsh is one win away from a medal at the World Boxing championships in Liverpool, after she recorded an impressive unanimous points decision victory against Spain's Mariana Soto Torres this evening (Monday).

Walsh now faces a formidable challenge at the quarter final stage on Wednesday, when she will come up against China's Yang Liu, who won silver at the Olympics in Paris last year.

In her last-16 bout this evening the 29-year-old Offaly woman looked razor-sharp from the outset, moving cleverly and catching Soto Torres with some fine combinations to take the opening round on all five of the judges' cards.

The Spanish boxer, who, like Walsh, won her opening bout at the championships last Friday, rallied somewhat in the second round, driving Walsh back with some good work midway through the round.

These successes resulted in Soto Torres earning the nod from two of the five judges in the second round, with the majority favouring Walsh.

There was no doubt whatsoever about the final round, though, as Walsh finished with a flourish, looking in total control for the final three minutes.

On social media, the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) praised the "masterful display" given by the Offaly boxer, who will now meet Yang Liu at the quarter final stage on Wednesday evening.

Daingean's Brian Kennedy, meanwhile, received a bye in the opening round and will enter the ring on Tuesday evening in the last 16 of the 85kg category.

The world championships in Liverpool are being streamed live on https://eurovisionsport.com/en. Registration is required, but the bouts are free to view.