(JAN 19) World and European lightweight champion Katie Taylor was back on top of the podium yesterday after receiving the Irish Times/VHI Healthcare Sportswoman of the year award at the Western Hotel in Dublin.

The award was presented in recognition of what has been another incredible year for Taylor, who won an historic third European title win in a row in Vejle, Denmark last October.

Commentating on the award, Taylor, who collected the Irish Amateur Boxing Associations Boxer of the year award earlier this month, and who was named world amateur boxer of 2007 on the influential Women's boxing website WBAN, said the Irish Times/VHI Healthcare award was a huge honour for her.

"It's a great honour to win this award. Especially considering all the other monthly winners here. I think the standard has definitely been higher this year. I'm delighted to accept it."

The 20 year old Bray woman's next bout could see her move up a weight to meet Sweden's Klara Svensson in Cork next month and she is also due to compete in a Multi Nations tournament in Russia in early March.

Svensson is ranked number two in the World at light welterweight.

Taylor, a member of the Irish Amateur Boxing Associations High Performance Unit, will defend her World title next November.

According to her father and coach Peter, it is a crucial year for Taylor, who has spent the last thirteen months ranked at number one in the World and Europe, and number one in the World and Europe in the pound-for-pound section, on the ABA rankings.

He said: "It is a massive year for Katie and her defence of her world title begins her in January. Katie is determined to successfully defend her world title and that will be her main focus as the year unfolds.

"She could fight in Cork in the near future and we should be in a position to confirm same soon."