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Katie Taylor capped an incredible year for Irish amateur boxing by retaining her lightweight title at the World Championships in Ningbo City, China yesterday. The Bray fighter took victory with a convincing 13-2 win over home favourite Cheng Dong. And to complete a remarkable day, she was also presented with the Boxer of the Tournament award to confirm her status as the world's number-one female pugilist.
"My target was to retain my title and I'm absolutely thrilled with this win," enthused Taylor after her historic victory. "It is a very proud moment for me to win my second world title in a row. I would also like to thank everyone for all the help and encouragement they have given me not only in China this week but also throughout the year."
Taylor reduced the vocal Chinese fans to a surreal silence after opening up a 6-0 lead during the first round before increasing her advantage to nine points in the second frame en route to glory. From there, victory was never in doubt.
The 22-year-old, who also holds European and European Union lightweight titles, has been ranked number one in both Europe and the world for the last two years, however her greatest moment may be yet to come. Her dream is to compete in the 2012 Olympics, but she is waiting on a decision from the International Olympic Committee to see if the women's boxing will be sanctioned as an Olympic sport.
The IOC are expected to make their decision next year and Taylor – whose father and coach Peter Taylor was working his daughter's corner in Ningbo City – is keeping her fingers crossed. "Hopefully we will be able to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. I think anyone watching this would agree there have been huge strides in the sport. It was a tough World Championships, which just proves that women's boxing is improving all the time."
Meanwhile yesterday's victory ensured that Irish boxers have won medals at every tournament they have entered this year.
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