The Irish boxer successfully defended her lightweight crown, winning all ten rounds on all judges scorecards (100-89 x3) in the co-main event of Lara v Warrington 2.

The fight was not the most entertaining but the result improves the resumé of the 35-year-old Taylor, who was fighting in the birthplace of her father.

Taylor started off on the front foot acting as the aggressor from the opening bell, using her jab well and reading Han’s moves.

Han began finding success with her punches in the second round and the back-and-forth theme continued over the next few rounds.

The former IBF Featherweight champion did not look rusty after 19 months without a fight but Taylor was one step ahead for much of the fight.

Both fighters traded periods of dominance in each round from 2-5 but the champion took all rounds on the scorecards – Han was at her most aggressive in these rounds and spent extended periods on the front foot.

Han’s defence was strong initially but the American started to fight looser and Taylor punished her for it and imposed her dominance with confidence from round five onwards.

As Taylor started to dominate proceedings, her 38-year-old opponent began to tire, in contrast to Taylor, who looked comfortable throughout.

The fight regressed into a one-sided climax as the final five rounds grew more one-sided with each bell.

Taylor searched for the stoppage but could not get it as her Texan opponent survived the ten rounds to take the loss on the scorecards.

In the main event, Josh Warrington’s fight against Mauricio Lara was declared a technical draw after two rounds.

An accidental headbutt from the Brit opened a cut above Lara’s eye and the ringside doctor deemed the Mexican unfit to continue.

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The lightweight took the win – and a minimum silver medal – on a 3-2 split decision.

They were neck-and-neck throughout, with Kellie taking a 3-2 edge in the opening two rounds, leaving a big closing round ahead.

Patience was key for Harrington though, and it paid off in the third, as she kept her composure against the tricky southpaw, to maintain her 3-2 lead and take the win.

Kellie has now secured a minimum of an Olympic silver medal for Team Ireland and will box for gold this coming Sunday in the Women’s Light (57-60kg) Olympic final.

“It’s fantastic,” she said afterwards. “Olympic silver medallist. That’s the stuff that people dream about.”

Harrington described the bout as a chess match and says her previous fight with Seesondee at the 2018 AIBA Amateur World Championships was like one too.

“It was patience that was key, I kept my patience and she didn’t. And that’s what won me the fight. The coaches were in the corner telling me, ‘stay patient’ and giving me tactics to throw and it worked.”

Reflecting on how it feels to be through to an Olympic final and have a silver medal secured she added that many have tried to get there, many don’t have what it takes to succeed because they don’t have the willpower, the determination, the focus, the dedication.

“I eat, sleep and breathe boxing. I’ve had heartbreak. I know what it is to fail and I know how hard it is to pick yourself back up after that. This is why I am who I am, and why I am here today – because I’m not afraid of failure. I know what it is. I’m Kellie Harrington. I’m myself and I make my own pathway.”

Kellie will face off against Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil in the Women’s Light Olympic final at 6 am Irish time on Sunday.

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After an assertive third round, the Dublin fighter won via split decision put her in pole position to reach the final.

The match-up was a rematch of the 2018 AIBA Amateur World Lightweight Championship final and the scorecards led to the same conclusion – 3-2 to Harrington.

The Dubliner is now guaranteed a silver medal after reaching the final of the division and could win the first Irish silver medal of Tokyo 2020 or the second Irish gold after Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy’s win.

The tense first round saw Harrington come out on top after her early jabs were deemed enough for a 3-2 round win.

However, her nimble opponent, Seesondee, fought back in the second round to even proceedings.

A reoccurring right hand was a constant in the Thai boxer’s gameplan as she got into the groove of things in round two.

Yet, Harrington’s power proved too much for her rival to handle and a tough third round showcased that.

In contrast to her opponent, the Portland Row native’s left hand was her main weapon, and it was used often in the final round as she regained control of the bout.

Harrington’s split decision win saw three judges edge her on their scorecards with a 29-28 score but it was enough for the Irish woman to reach the final.

Harrington becomes the first Irish boxer to reach the final of an Olympic boxing division since John Joe Nevin at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The 31-year-old will fight 41-year-old Brazilian Beatriz Fereira for the gold medal on Sunday morning.

Her five-nil unanimous decision win over Finnish pugilist Mira Potkonen alludes to a very enticing affair between the two finalists.

Team Ireland star Kellie Harrington’s gold medal bout will be shown live on RTÉ Two and will take place at 6 am on Sunday, August 8th.

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