(Picture: INPHO/Octavian Cocolos)

Olympic champion Katie Taylor beat France’s Estelle Mossely to claim an unprecedented sixth successive European Elite lightweight title in Bucharest, Romania today.

The Bray woman, who won her first European gold in Norway in 2005, began to show her class toward the end of a cagey first round in today’s 60kg four-rounder.

She had a particularly good second frame, her left hook, right cross combinations repeatedly troubling the French lightweight, who beat Russia’s Sofya Ochigava in the semi-finals.

(Picture: INPHO/Octavian Cocolos)

The third went in favour of the AIBA World No. 1 also, and when Mossely, behind on all score cards, went chasing the fight in the fourth she was met with a barrage of shots as Taylor added another major gold medal to the CV of Ireland’s most successful athlete in any sport.

Today’s final was a repeat of the 2013 European Union final in Hungary, which Taylor also won.

(Picture: INPHO/Octavian Cocolos)

Speaking after claiming her 16th major title, an emotional Olympic, World, European, EU and Irish champion said she was thrilled to win her sixth successive European gold and thanked everyone for their support and well wishes.

Irish team manager Fiona Hennigan said: “Katie was brilliant here this week, absolutely brilliant. She showed her class again today and it was a magnificent win. The entire squad gave it absolutely everything here all week.”

Tommy Murphy, President of the IABA, said: “This is another proud moment for our sport. Katie is a tremendous athlete and a consistent source of pride. Katie and Clare Grace and the Irish squad in Romania did Ireland proud.”

Taylor and Clare Grace will be bring home gold and bronze from the 9th edition of the Women’s Elite European Championships. The double medal haul will ensure that Ireland has a strong presence on the final medals table.

Pete Taylor, Zuar Antia and Gerry Storey were working Ireland’s corner in Bucharest.

- Bernard O'Neill via the Irish Amateur Boxing Association