THE ANGUISH WAS written all over her face, a tearful Katie Taylor barely able to find the words to describe her third defeat of what’s turned out to be a turbulent, and nightmarish, year.
The Bray boxer has now relinquished her World, European and Olympic crowns in the space of five months as she slipped to a split decision loss to Finish veteran Mira Potkonen.
The air of invincibility she’s held over the 60kg division for the last decade has now fully evaporated with the 30-year-old now heading home empty handed. What a difference four years makes.
Speaking to RTÉ post-fight, Taylor, fighting back the tears, admitted she should not be losing to opponents like Potkonen.
“It’s been a very, very tough year and I’ve suffered a lot of losses this year and it’s hard to very, very hard to take,” she said.
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“The Olympics is a dream for me and I came in here prepared very well and I have it my best shot and it just didn’t happen. The plans you have in your heart just aren’t the same as God’s plans sometimes.
“I thought she probably won the second round the but the other three rounds went my way, again it’s a very close fight. It’s just very disappointing, I should be beating those girls. I don’t know what to say about it really. Those girls shouldn’t be beating me I don’t think.
“I’d just like to thank everyone for their support, their prayers, and I’m so humbled by that. It’s still such a privilege to be here and I just have to thank everyone for their support.”
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