Twenty years ago this week Irish boxer Michael Carruth won gold at the Barcelona Olympics and brought glory to the nation. Now he says he is happy to share the elation with Katie Taylor, who made history by winning gold for Ireland in London on Thursday.

The Bray, County Wicklow woman defeated Sonya Ochigava 10-8 at a packed ExCel arena. The match brought the nation to a standstill as the young heroine struck for victory.

'I didn't win the Olympic games to be the only one. I am part of a universal thing which has gone on for over 100 years now,' Taylor told the press. 'We're the most successful sport in Ireland out there and long may it continue because seven medals in the last few Olympic games tells you we're an inspiration to other generations.'

Meanwhile, speaking to the Waterford News, Carruth said he believes Taylor should stay amateur rather than taking up a professional career. With a successful Olympic win behind her Taylor now says she plans to stay in the sport and will consider all offers, but Carruth (who turned pro after winning his Olympic title) says that to do likewise she'll have to leave home.

'Professional boxing for women wouldn't be half as big as it would be for men and I don't think it would be lucrative enough either. If anything, I think she should stay amateur and continue her great run. If she turns pro, she'll probably have to find herself in America.'

Finding yourself in the big leagues in the States will change her game, but the most obvious path isn't always the wisest, it seems.