Lisa O’Rourke booked her place in the Women’s World Boxing light middleweight final after a dramatic semi-final win.
O’Rourke claimed victory on bout review after the judges had scored the bout 3-2. A two further observer’s score cards where needed for O’Rourke to claim a 4-3 win.
In an extremely tight bout, Lisa O’Rourke booked a return to a gold medal bout in a championship she last won in 2022.
Thought-out it was a very tight affair. Natalya Bogdanova got the nod for the tight first round. In fact all five judges gave the Kazak boxer a 10-9 victory.
However, O’Rourke produced an excellent second round, landing a good combination and a very strong right hand within the opening two minutes of the round.
Indeed, a big right just on the bell, would have secured the nod of a number of judges as the scorecard swung in O’Rourke’s favour. Three judges had the bout level.
The final round was even scrappier. Bogdanova knowing all she had to do was hang for victory.
Indeed, a big right hook over the shoulder just on the bell, again may have swung the bout to O’Rourke who claimed victory after bout review.
The score card reading, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29, 29-28. 28-29. The judges giving a 3-2 verdict, sent the result to bout review. The additional judges giving O’Rourke the verdict 4-3.
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Team Ireland 70kg Lisa O'Rourke will join her sister, 75kg Aoife, in Sunday's Women's World Championship finals.
The 2022 World Champion had a tense wait for the declaration following her semi-final against Kazakhstan's Natalya Bogdanova.
The decision went to a bout… pic.twitter.com/tEeabA2IM6
— IABA (@IABABOXING) March 14, 2025
Lisa O’Rourke will now fight for a second Women’s World Boxing title on Sunday. As will her older sister Aoife. Indeed, Lisa will box for gold against Russia’s Elena Gapeshina and will be in the ring after 7.15pm on Sunday evening.
