FAITH HEALER

Katie's strong faith gives her strength for battle

- KIERAN CUNNNGHAM

NOBODY needs to be told what was the darkest day in the career of Katie Taylor.

Her pale, bewildered face told us more than any words.

For the third time in a matter of months, the woman seen as virtually unbeatable had lost.

But this defeat stung more than any other. This was the Olympic Games, the biggest stage of all.

A quarter-final loss to Mira Potknonen, a 35-year-old who won just one bronze at a high level in her career.

Olympic champion, five-time World champion and six-time European champion Taylor would never fight as an amateur again.

Within a couple of months, she'd turned pro and moved to the US to train with Ross Enamait.

In Vernon, Connecticut, Taylor knew no one and lived alone. That's what you might think but, when you have a strong faith, you're never alone.