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Boxing - Brilliant Taylor floats and stings to another world crown

Katie Taylor with her medal

Katie Taylor holds aloft the Irish flag after winning the title

Katie Taylor finds her range against Cheng Dong

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Katie Taylor's unerring march towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London continued last night as she beat China's Cheng Dong to claim the AIBA world amateur title in Barbados.

Taylor brilliantly outclassed her six-feet tall opponent in a convincing 18-5 victory to seal her third world crown. After a difficult semi-final win over Queen Underwood, she would have been forgiven for easing herself into the contest. but true to form, Taylor came out on the offensive and registered the first point. After coming to terms with the Chinese girls superior reach, the Bray pugilist settled into a groove and held a two-point lead at the bell. Six more points in the second round effectively sealed the bout as Taylor found her range with a beautiful left-hook.

In the third, Dong tried desperately for the big knockout blow and a couple came close but Taylor calmly held her nerve to close out the bout in style. At the final bell she fell to her knees and the first out to congratulate her was her father and coach, Pater.

President Mary McAleese was among the first to recognise the achievement. "This is a remarkable sporting feat, of which we can all be immensely proud," the president said. "All of Ireland was willing Katie on this evening and I join them in sending warmest best wishes to Katie."