Taylor on course for battle over pro card fights

KATIE TAYLOR has hinted that the row between her and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association over the governing body’s ban on amateur boxers appearing on professional cards could resurface in the future.

While dismissing reports that she could switch allegiances to Great Britain for the Olympic Games, or even give up on her Olympic dream to turn professional, the softly-spoken Bray fighter has expressed her disappointment with the ban.

“I was very frustrated over the pro-am situation” she admitted yesterday. “It was a great opportunity for me to box in front of my friends and family at home, live on TV. It would have been a great opportunity for me to showcase women’s boxing again across the country. I just feel like the boxing association have taken that away from me.”

She has not given up hope of appearing on a Brian Peters promotion in the future, having created such a positive impression against American Caroline Barry in a packed O2 Arena last March, on the night Bernard Dunne wrested the WBA world super bantamweight title from Ricardo Cordoba. For that to happen though, the IABA will need to have another change of heart.

When Peters made it known that he would like Taylor to fight on last Saturday night’s card, the association blocked the move.

She will definitely not hold the threat of switching allegiances to England or turning pro over the IABA however. She is eligible to fight for Britain on the basis that her father and coach, Pete, is English but has never even considered it.

“There’s no way, no way I would have boxed for England. I’m 100% Irish.

“I’m gonna stay amateur for the Olympics. It’s always been my dream at the end of the day.”