Kellie will Sees her chance

IRISH female boxing has never lost an AIBA World Elite lightweight final and Kellie Harrington will battle to ensure it doesn’t happen in New Delhi today, according to Joe Ward.

Three-time European champion Ward is backing his Irish team-mate to reclaim the belt Katie

Taylor held in a vice-like grip between 2006 and 2014.

The Dubliner meets Thai southpaw Sudaporn Seesondee looking to reassert Ireland’s dominance of the 60kg division.

Seesondee claimed Asian Games silver last year and bronze at the 2014 Worlds. She also eliminated

Finland’s No1 seed Mira Potkonen, who beat Taylor at Rio 2016, in New Delhi this week.

Harrington, 28, has won three fights on unanimous decisions and one split verdict en route to the final. Seesondee, 27, has earned three splits and a unanimous verdict on her way to bout No. 262 of the 73-nation tournament.

Ward reckons St Mary’s BC fighter Harrington, an 8-time Irish Elite champion, is in the zone.

”I’ve been watching her over the last few days and she’s boxing really well, I really think she can go all the way.

“She just needs to focus on her performance,” said the three-time World Elite medallist.

One way or the other there’ll be a new name on the lightweight title.

Head coach Zaur Antia, who is working Ireland’s corner with Dmitry

Dimitruk, said: ”Kellie is very focused and sharp.

“She has won four fights so far and performed brilliantly.

“We have a good atmosphere here. We have a good approach and we’ve got confidence.”

Ten finals will be decided with boxing due to begin at 10.30am (Irish time).