BY Jonny Stapleton

TEAM GB star Natasha Jonas believes Katie Taylor was a deserving and fitting  Gold Medallist.

The Liverpool Lass, who lost out to the greatest female fighter on the planet in London 2012, but not before playing her part in the what the ABA labelled the fight of the Games, disagreed with finalist Sophia Ochigava claims Taylor was favoured by officials in the decider.

Jonas encouraged the Russian to be more respectful and admit she was beaten by the better fighter of the day.

The fighter, who won a host of fans in Ireland for her skilful gutsy displays in the ring and her gracious approach humble approach out of it, also suggested as the number 1 fighter in the sport for over six years it was fitting Taylor was crowned the first ever lightweight Olympic champ.

“As soon as Katie beat me I said I hope she wins it. The final was a good bout for women’s boxing it was technical and she proved she could box as well as fight and hats off to her she deserved to win<“ Jonas told Newstalks Off the Ball.   “I think she is a great ambassador  for the sport and for years and years there was no one near as talented as she was. And after winning the European and the Worlds I thought she deserved to cap it off with an Olympic medal. She does deserve it,” she added before commenting on Ochigava’s pre and post fight outbursts.

“I read some of her comments, I cant comment on her state of mind, but it is not the sort of thing I would do, you have to take your hat off to the best on the day and the better fighter won.  I thought there were points either way not given, but I though on the whole Katie won.”

Jonas admits she got the tough draw having had to face Queen Underwood and Katie Taylor in the early stages, but she was far from bitter. The fighting mother took the positives from her experience and was proud of her performance in the Taylor quarter final.

“People like Lennox Lewis, Barry McGuigan and the like to say it was the best show of boxing they seen at the Games was a honour and it makes me proud to be a part of it. Ok the result didn’t go my way on that occasion but I can take positives. It wasn’t the outcome that I wanted but I couldn’t ask for more from myself or the support I got. I lost to the better person on the day.