The dream is the same as it ever was —but Taylor’s moment has finally arrived
Fast forward 15 odd years and nothing has changed. Katie Taylor celebrated for a moment after her 17-9 victory over Tajikistan’s Mavzuna Chorieva, smiled for the cameras and regained her lifelong focus.
“This is what I dreamed of all my life and now I have the chance to box for a gold medal tomorrow. It’s incredible,” she said.
Today she will meet the world number two, Sofya Ochigava, in the final (4.45pm) in a repeat of the world championships final but the Irish four-time world champion is red hot favourite to repeat that victory.
Yesterday she turned in another spectacular performance to overwhelm Chorieva who did everything in her power to upset her. She tried to draw her in, taunt her, even stopped boxing and waved Taylor to come forward until the referee told her to behave.
All the time Taylor was getting the shots through. All the time she showed her focus. She picked up the points, won the first 3-1, the second 4-2 and in the third, when Chorieva stopped punching and waved her to come in, she answered it with a good combination and won the round 6-3. The fourth was just a formality.
“It was a completely different fight to Monday’s,” Taylor said. “It was always going to be kind of tricky over the first couple of rounds, she’s a good counter-puncher and I just had to try and stay calm and composed, and stack up the points over the four rounds.
“She was showboating, trying to wind me up but we expected things like that. My dad told me before that she was going to do things like that and she’s very dirty in closer as well. We knew she was going to a bit physical in close as well but I just had to stay calm and composed.
“She was trying to wind me up from the very start but I just kept to my boxing really and tried to stay composed throughout the whole fight.”
Her experience definitely helped as knew what to expect from the world championships when she met her in the semi-finals as well.
“She was kind of doing the same as well so I knew what to expect.
“I’m just delighted I’m boxing for a gold medal tomorrow. This is what I’ve dreamed of my whole life.”
If she had any doubts though she had the support of a full Excel Arena behind her with spine chilling renditions of The Fields of Athenry. Even international goalkeeper Shay Given was among those cheering her on and that support has driven her on.
“Oh it’s amazing, really, the support is incredible,” she said. “He’s a huge star obviously. Everyone’s comments have been unbelievable over the last few days as well. To have people like that come out to support you as well.
“The support out here is unbelievable, I feel like I’m boxing at home in Dublin, really. It’s incredible, 10,000 Irish people screaming for me, this is what dreams are made of.
“I try to just kind of stay focused walking out to the ring and but I just can’t help my dad in the corner sometimes. Hopefully I can make everyone proud tomorrow.”
But she must fight for herself today and put all that to the back of her mind.
“I suppose I have to refocus kind of quick, I wouldn’t mind a day off but I’m boxing tomorrow. I have to get myself ready now for tomorrow and it’s going to be a completely different fight again so I’m going to have to stay sharp and hopefully I can bring home a gold medal, please god.
“I’ll try my best to have a good night’s sleep but we’ll see, I find it quite difficult usually to sleep the night before fights to be honest, but I’ll see if I can get a few hours anyway.”
Her father and coach, Pete, said three bouts in four days would be no problem for Katie as she is used to five bouts in six days at the world championships.
“She’s in great nick,” he said. “She wasn’t even blowing today. Once she got the first fight under her belt, she wasn’t even blowing. I know the tempo there was different.
“We can’t believe the support she’s got here, it’s been unbelievable. Ireland’s in a recession and people are coming over here spending their hard-earned money. Hopefully she’s doing a bit to lift the country.”
Katie might be looking forward to today’s final but, according to herfather, Ochigava won’t be looking forward to fighting her.
“Nobody is looking forward to boxing Katie,” he said. “I say the fight will be very cagey, same as the world championships I should think. Who holds their nerve.
“It’s going to be a battle of nerves. Not one for the armchair viewers. It’s going to be a technical battle I would day. Ochigava is brilliant. I’ve all the respect in the world for her. She’s an excellent boxer. In an Olympic final you want the best.”
The 25-year-old controversially ended Taylor’s 42 bout, three-year undefeated streak at the Usti na Labem Gran Prix back in 2010. The Russian won 8-1, despite Taylor landing several punches thought to have led to scores.
They fought again in the European Women’s Boxing Championships final in 2011 when Katie won. They also crossed paths in qualifying for London 2012, as the Bray woman picked up her fourth world title in a row with an 11-7 victory over Ochigava.
Katie previously said Sofya was “one of the best opponents I’ve ever met”.
Sofya Ochigava, Russia, left, exchanges punches with Adriana Araujo, Brazil, during their semi-final.
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