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Katie Taylor celebrates winning her fight against Russia's Sofya Ochigava. Ivan Sekretarev/AP/Press Association Images

Katie Taylor: 'I've dreamed of this moment so many times before'

The boxer also described how she was “so nervous all day” ahead of the fight.

AN EMOTIONAL KATIE Taylor has expressed her delight following her gold medal win over Russia’s Sofya Ochigavaearlier today.

Speaking to RTE, she described her feelings of ecstasy.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times before,” she said. “I just can’t believe it. I want to thank everyone for all their prayers over the last week.”

And Taylor admitted that she was feeling the pressure ahead of the fight.

“I was so nervous all day – it’s the most nervous I’ve been all my life for a fight, naturally enough.

“I tried to stay calm and composed throughout the day. It was hard to relax. I couldn’t eat all day.”

She explained how she was not surprised that she was made to work extremely hard for her victory.

“I knew it was going to be a close fight – it always is between me and Sofia, she’s a fantastic boxer.”

And there was an anxious wait for the result in the aftermath of the fight, with Taylor revealing that she was not sure of the outcome.

“I didn’t know [the result] to be honest, the last round was very close.

“There was a bit of a delay at the end and I thought it went to a countback, and maybe if it went to a countback I wouldn’t have won, as she threw more punches than me.

“It was such a close contest, but thank God it went my way.”

Asked if she was concerned by the fact that her opponent led after the second round, Taylor said:

“Not at all. It’s only one point at the end of the day. I just had to stay calm throughout the fight.”

And despite the controversial remarks made by Ochigavaearlier prior to the fight, she was dignified in her assessment of the Russian, congratulating her for “a brilliant fight”.

Read: That was quick: Taoiseach’s congrats email out 2 minutes after Katie result>

Read: Here’s how Twitter reacted to Katie Taylor’s triumph>

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31 Comments
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    Mute karla carroll
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    Aug 9th 2012, 6:51 PM

    You did it girl….

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    Mute Abi Dennis
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:18 PM

    “I knew it was going to be a close fight – it always is between me and Sofia, she’s a fantastic boxer.”

    Far more class than her opponents less than favourable remarks, well done Katie!

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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:31 PM

    Just imagine if the boot was on the other foot! The Russian girl won fair and square! Boxing’s a farce littered with dodgy decisions! The judges bottled it.

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    Mute Darren
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:53 PM

    @ rodrigo. What fight were you actually watching? Taylor led the fight from start to finish while her opponent sat back looking to pick off shots. Taylor was physically, mentally and tactically the better fighter and deserved gold. You’re either a troll or an idiot, likely to be both.

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    Mute James Dorrian
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:33 PM

    Well done Katie, what a fantastic performance, you did us proud , congratulations , Olympic Champion !!

    56
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    Mute Jessica O Flaherty
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:04 PM

    I love her…..

    55
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    Mute Gooney
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    Aug 9th 2012, 6:59 PM

    Inspiration personified!

    53
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    Mute Frank2521
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:59 PM

    Brilliant, Clean and Honest. She is great. Her honesty of effort and integrity is a great example to our children. Very little funding and clean as a whistle. She won’t have to give any medels back. Brilliant and proud to be Irish with Katie showing it can be done honestly.

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    Mute Michael Lee
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:17 PM

    Well Done Katie Taylor.

    You have achieved what you have set out to do. Well & truly deserved. You are the Pride & Joy of Ireland. And you will be for A long time to come.
    CONGRATULATIONS KATIE.

    40
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    Mute Nozaed
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    Aug 10th 2012, 12:04 AM

    What’s the “Jeeeez…..” about Olwyn? I was only making a comment. I am sure Dr Pat O’Callaghan did not win Ireland’s first Gold medal for the men of Ireland only but for the people of Ireland and of course you being a woman easily forget that Michelle Smith won Ireland’s first woman’s Gold medal for Ireland but then again you are probably ashamed of that.! Remember she still has the medals and should not be forgotten. She was treated very badly and now women like you totally write her off the history books. You should be ashamed of yourself and are a disgrace to women.

    3
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    Mute Gareth Peoples
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:48 PM

    Spirit Radio on Facebook are claiming the full quote is:
    “”I dreamt of this moment so many times before and now I just can’t believe the grace of God in my life right now. I just want to thank everyone for all their prayers. I said it yesterday, as well, with all the prayers over the last week. I’d be nothing without God. I’m here because of the grace of God in my life and because of Jesus in my life and without him I’d be nothing really. So praise God, thank you Jesus for such a great victory today.” – Katie Taylor”

    Was the quote clipped on this article?

    31
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    Mute Sinead Fox
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:29 PM

    yep as usual Katie gives honor to God for her victory but it gets edited out! she is such a fantastic ambassador for Christ and has her priorities rite, she’s a fine example of true Christianity ;) what an example to our young and what a win to bring home to Ireland!! well done Katie Taylor!!!

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    Mute Gareth Peoples
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:32 PM

    thejournal.ie did clip the quote – the full thing is here: http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics/player/332892/?autoplay=1

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:41 PM

    Hi Sinead,

    I didn’t edit the point out. I just felt that this quote conveyed it adequately: “I want to thank everyone for all their prayers over the last week.”

    33
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    Mute Gareth Peoples
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:49 PM

    The quote was edited particularly the humility of “I’d be nothing because of God, I’m here because of the grace of God in my life, because of Jesus in my life, and without Him, I’d be nothing really”.
    Why are people awkward around the subject of someone having a genuine and a sincere faith that changes their lives?

    40
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    Mute Nozaed
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:11 PM

    Woman on news says “great for Katie, great day for women and a proud day for Ireland”, never heard an Irish male Olympian say ” it’s a great day for men”.

    This lady needs to cop on…..

    27
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    Mute Olwyn Lydon
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    Aug 9th 2012, 10:59 PM

    Well not sure if you missed that it’s the first Olympics in which women’s boxing is a sport!!! This may shed some light on the comment!! Jeeeez…..

    28
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    Mute Emmet Odonnell
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    Aug 9th 2012, 9:40 PM

    Fair play to Katie a very humble and gracious winner. Her faith is a huge source of strength and comfort to her. She is a fantastic role model for my little one and us all !

    26
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    Mute Arthur Hall
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    Aug 9th 2012, 11:00 PM

    I watched fight in a pub and I was taken aback by all the wild screaming supportive ladies. Wonderful moments. Us men better watch out.

    20
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    Mute Andrew Clavin
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:18 PM

    what religion is she?she keeps thanking god.good for her..i am just curious

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    Mute Brian Hennessy
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:20 PM

    Christian!

    24
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    Mute Andrew Clavin
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:23 PM

    penecostal born again my mate said…that must mean a load of singing

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    Mute Brian Walsh
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:29 PM

    Sweet screaming Jesus…

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    Mute Sinead Fox
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:34 PM

    she’s a Christian, a bible believing Christian, a born again Christian, she goes to a Pentecostal church.

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    Mute Andrew Clavin
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    Aug 9th 2012, 8:37 PM

    so not catholic or protestant then..i get ya.

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    Mute Tomy Iona
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    Aug 9th 2012, 6:51 PM

    The first round was a draw wasn’t it? She was behind after the second.
    “Asked if she was concerned by the fact that her opponent led after the first round, Taylor said:”

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    Mute Sinead Taaffe
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:01 PM

    it says after the second round now, must of changed it :)

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    Mute Adrian de Cleir
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:01 PM

    After the second round is also after the first round. If you’re gonna be nitpicky so am I.

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    Mute Alan Hanlon
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:03 PM

    read it again “after second round”

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    Mute Tomy Iona
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:05 PM

    It is but the first round was a draw. The second round put Katie behind by 1 point.

    Also, continuing on the nit-picking, the statement you made means nothing without the context of the points at that time. Which makes you wrong…..

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    Mute Tomy Iona
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    Aug 9th 2012, 7:29 PM

    @ Alan – the quoted text was the original text which has obviously since been changed.

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