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Pure Gold

Katie Taylor wins a remarkable fifth world boxing title

Another golden day as Taylor beats Azerbaijan’s Yana Allekseevna.

Updated 10.15

KATIE TAYLOR IS the world champion once again.

Ireland’s reigning Olympic champion won her fifth straight lightweight title in South Korea on Monday, defeating Yana Allekseevna of Azerbaijan.

Taylor’s unbeaten record at the world championships stretches all the way back to 2006 and with her fifth gold, she draws level with India’s Mary Kom in the record books.

It was an early start for supporters back home as Taylor, dressed in red, made her way to the ring shortly before 6.30am Irish time.

It was worth getting out of bed for. The southpaw Allekseevna was every bit as tricky as expected but Taylor’s class shone through.

After four rounds the judges scored it 40-36, 39-37, 39-37, all in favour of the 28-year-old from Bray.

Her incredible lightweight haul also includes five European titles, six European Union titles as well as her unforgettable Olympic gold from London 2012.

“It was very tight but it’s an absolute privilege to equal that record of five world titles,” she said.

President Michael D Higgins led the tributes back home in Ireland: “All of us are so proud of her.”

“I offer sincere congratulations to Katie and indeed her family on this outstanding win; where she again showed such remarkable skill, determination and courage at the very highest level.

Katie Taylor is without doubt the outstanding Irish sportswoman of her generation and has set a standard for all Irish sportspeople to follow in decades ahead.

Taylor took control in a cagey first round, scoring the better body shots as Allekseevna tried to pick off punches from distance.

Her experience told in the second as she kept out of her opponent’s range and scored with the cleaner shots.

But after another good round from Allekseevna in the third, Taylor was only marginally in front on two cards, 29-28, and led 30-27 on the other.

Her win was never in any real doubt though. Allekseevna couldn’t get close enough to do any damage in the fourth as Taylor added the latest golden chapter to her remarkable story.

“She has proven time and again that she is one of Ireland’s greatest athletes and has secured her place in Irish sporting history,” Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke said.

“She is a great role model for the children of Ireland with her work ethic and modest nature and is an inspiration to us all.”

Minster of State, Michael Ring TD added: “She is one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes, a wonderful and dedicated talent. She is an inspiration to her team and to Irish athletes.”

Forget to set the alarm? Watch Katie Taylor’s world title win in full here

Glory for Katie – the pics from South Korea as Taylor is crowned world champion

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