Tipperary's Shauna O'Keefe described defeat to Katie Taylor in last night's National Elite lightweight final as "only the start" and said her eyes were firmly fixed on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
This was the first time Taylor had been forced to defend her Irish title, having been unopposed when winning her five previous national belts. She did so last night with a 40-34, 40-36, 40-36 victory
"There’s no break for boxing lads. You have to keep going. I’ve had a great start to the year and I’m going to finish it on a high."
“I’m very happy with the defeat," O'Keefe told RTÉ Sport after the fight.
"I know it’s a weird thing to be saying. But there’s no one in the whole of Ireland that got into the ring with Katie Taylor and can say that they got beat by Katie Taylor.
"I went in and I left my mark with Katie. I gave it to her. I’m 21 years of age. This is only the start for me.”
The Clonmel native said she was delighted to hear that Taylor herself had predicted future success and said her only focus now was getting herself into position to achieve that success.
“It came out of the horse’s mouth. Katie Taylor said 2020 Tokyo and I couldn’t have been happier with those words coming out of her mouth. I’m filling massive boots, I know I am. But I put in the hard work and determination. I’m getting started first thing on Monday. There’s no break for boxing lads.
"You have to keep going. I’ve had a great start to the year and I’m going to finish it on a high and I’m gonna keep going.”
Unsurprisingly, few had predicted an upset coming into last night's fight, but O'Keefe received loud support from the crowd at the National Stadium - with many being won over by her determination as the fight progressed.
“Clonmel was unbelievable," said O'Keefe. "The minute they heard that I was in the final they were on the phone organising buses and organising lifts. People not going to work – the whole lot.
"I could not have asked for a better support behind me. And that’s what helped me inside in that ring. People have been chanting for her for donkey’s years – they all came on my side. They wanted to see another person come on in Ireland. They wanted me to come in and perform - and I did it. I gave it up to Katie Taylor. As much as I can say, I’m so happy.”
O'Keefe is already Intermediate champion and at just 21 years of age, she has her sights on becoming one of the future stars of Irish boxing.
“2020 Tokyo is going to the year for me. I’m going to be 25 years of age. There’s a lot that can happen in four years. I’m only back training since August. I had serious knee operation in march. I done a lot in three months – imagine what I can do in four years?
"I’m going to put in the hard work, the graft. One-on-one sessions. I’m going to do it. I’m going to come back with a bang. 2020 is going to be the year for me."
