Boxing/ Women's World Championships: Over 2,000 well-wishers turned out on to the streets of Bray at the weekend to welcome home world champion Katie Taylor.

The Irish boxer revealed that her quest for the world title almost ended before a punch was thrown in India last Thursday. The 20-year-old - whose dad Peter was in her corner in New Delhi - arrived back in Ireland on Saturday morning to a rapturous reception at Dublin Airport.

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) and the Irish Sports Council rolled out the red carpet for the golden girl of Irish boxing who was crowned world lightweight champ after a convincing victory over Argentina's Annabella Farias.

However, Taylor, who picked up a nose injury in sparring before the world championships, had to convince a doctor that she was fit enough to box before she clinched an historic gold medal for her country.

"I was checked by a doctor and he me told before my final that I might not be allowed fight because of my nose injury," she said. "But I told him that the injury was no worse than it was when I arrived in India when they passed me fit and I insisted that I was not going to miss the final.

"I would like to thank everyone for showing up to welcome me home and for all their support and well wishes and I am thrilled to have won a gold medal for my country."

Taylor had an MRI scan on the injury in Dublin before departing for India and was given the all clear to box at the championships.

Taylor spent just over 20 minutes in the ring in five fights in New Delhi, dispatching three opponents inside the distance and racking up 109 points.

Her five opponents managed to record just 30 points between them against the Bray woman at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.