Katie gears up for Dublin duels

OLYMPIC boxing champ Katie Taylor is to defend her European Championship with a Dublin date in October.

The Bray Battler is set to take to the ring as part of the Women’s European Boxing Championships.

It will also be the first time the five-time European champion has fought for a title on home soil.

A recent recipient of a 2012 Irish Independent Sportstar of the Year award, Katie is also gearing up for her upcoming duel against an unnamed opponent at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Sunday, February 24.

This encounter will form part of the

‘The Road to Rio’ journey for the 26-year-old as she embarks on a bid to win a second Olympic Gold at the 2016 games in Brazil.

“It’s great to have a date to focus on now and it will be great to box at home as Olympic Champion,” said Taylor.

“I was humbled by all the people who came over to support me in London, it felt like the Irish fans took over the arena for my fights so it’s great now that people will have a chance to see me on home soil taking on world class opposition.

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She added:

” I boxed at the O2 in 2009 and it was a brilliant experience and the crowd’s reaction that night was amazing and really lifted me. It would be great to repeat that in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in February.”

Taylor took the London Olympics by storm earlier last year with a series of brilliant performances en route to winning gold as women’s boxing made its Olympic debut.

The achievement cemented her place as one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes and saw her receive international acclaim with USA Today naming her as one of the most inspirational athletes of the games, alongside track stars Usain Bolt, Mo Farrah and David Rudisha.

The months since the games have been a hive of activity for Taylor who released her book

‘My Olympic Dream’, travelled the country to book signings, award ceremonies and charity events and more recently travelled to Armenia to pick up her award from amateur boxing’s international governing body AIBA as their Women’s Boxer of the Year.

She was back in London recently to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year where she was recognised for being one of the stars of the 2012 games.

“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind really and it’s been such a busy time but I’m really looking forward to getting back in the ring and boxing again,” said Taylor.

“I’ve tried to keep life as normal as possible and the support from people wishing me well has been brilliant. It seems everyone knows who I am now but I’ve never been interested in being a ‘celebrity’ so that has taken some adjusting to. I took a few weeks off from training after the Olympics but I’ve been back in the gym for quite a while now so it’s good to be back in a routine and training hard again with a fight date to focus on.

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She added:

“I’m still only 26 and I feel I have things to prove and things to achieve in the sport. I’m constantly learning in the gym and looking to improve. I’ve always set myself goals and I want to retain that Olympic title in Rio in 2016 and retain my European and World titles as well so I’m hungrier than ever to keep improving.

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