Reigning Olympic, World and European lightweight champion Katie Taylor has welcomed the chance to fight for the Irish title for the first time on Friday.
The world no 1 will meet Tipperary’s Shauna O’Keeffe for the vacant Irish lightweight belt at the National Stadium, having never before been challenged for the title.
“I’m delighted to get the opportunity to box for an Irish title and I’ll be taking absolutely nothing for granted,” said Taylor, who created history at the National Stadium in 2001 after she beat Allana Murphy in the first officially IABA-sanctioned women’s bout in Ireland.
O’Keeffe, who boxes out of the Clonmel BC, saw off Clare’s Kayleigh Murrihy-McCormack on a unanimous decision in last Friday’s Munster derby to set up the showdown with the five-time AIBA World Elite gold medallist. Bray star Taylor received a bye into the final.
O’Keeffe is the current Irish Intermediate champion. The 21-year-old southpaw also won Celtic Cup gold this year.
Martin Fennessey and Robert Scanlon will be working her corner against the AIBA Ambassador for women’s boxing.
"Shauna has an Olympic dream like anyone else. She’s a tough, determined and focussed young boxer and she has great belief in herself,” said Fennessey.
Meanwhile, Ceire Smith, who beat current World Elite champion Marlen Esparza (USA) in Warsaw this year, meets 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michaela Walsh in Friday’s flyweight final, which is one of eight titles down for decision.
Elite National Women’s Championships National Stadium Dublin, Friday November 27th (7.30pm)
48kg Lauren Hogan (St Brigids Edenderry) v Donna Barr (Twin Towns)
51kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG) v Ceire Smith (Cavan)
54kg Dervla Duffy (St Brigids Kildare) v Elaine Harrison (Ardnaree)
57kg Joanne Lambe (Carrickmacross) v Moira McElligott)
60kg Katie Taylor (Bray) v Shauna O’Keeffe (Clonmel)
64kg Kelly Harrington (Glasnevin) v Cheyanne O’Neill (Athlone)
69kg Clare Grace (Callan) v Grainne Walsh (Spartacus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgans) W/O
81+kg Diana Cambell (Garda) v Maeve McCarron (Carrigart)
