Dad says Katie Taylor Ireland’s greatest ever athlete
“I think Katie is the greatest Irish athlete of all time” explained the boxing champions’s father.
“People got to see these semi-finals and that’s made people realise it’s not that easy to win these titles.”
Taylor struck her 18th major gold medal in Baku on Saturday night with a comfortable unanimous victory over Estelle Mossely of France 36-40, 36-40, 37-39, to take the first ever European games title.
“She’s won medals sometimes in obscure places and people only see Katie walking through an airport with the gold medals” added Katie’s dad.
Katie added: “My main goal now is to defend that Olympic title” explained Katie.
“I want to go down in the history books as the greatest female boxer of all time. I think I’m on the right path.” Katie and Pete know that the net is certainly closing in on the Wicklow woman with Yana Alekseevna who Katie beat in the semi-final, her biggest threat against becoming Ireland’s first ever double Olympic champion.
“Yeah it will be tough,” admitted Pete Taylor, “but Katie is going to improve by then, they are the battles you relish they are the battles she relishes” added Taylor.
“She was looking forward to the contest in Azerbaijan against this girl, so there the contests you relish
“I think every competition is getting tougher” admitted Katie “because I’m the champion, they always want to raise their game against you, so I have to continue to improve, and up my game.
“I do get hungrier for medals, all the time” explained Katie confidently. “It’s great to add this to my list. There are a lot of fighters coming up that want to take my place.
Katie Taylor wins the inaugural European Games lightweight final against Estelle Mossely on points. https://t.co/3lxIABfRTZ
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 27, 2015
“I think some people at home think I just stroll through these competitions, but every fight is hard fought, and hard won” added Katie, who was on the verge of going home in Friday’s semi-final.
Katie was quick to acknowledge the support from the Irish management team and particularly her father Pete as she is now spent a decade as the world’s top female boxer.
“I just have a great team of people behind me, my family too” explained Katie
“My mother is here, going around the stadium here, praying for me and that strengthens me too.
“I think when you’re so consistent, you have to stand up and take notice” added Taylor. “I’ve said before people don’t recognise the consistency enough.
Europe is the strongest continent for sure.
“A second Olympic gold medal would enshrine Taylor as Ireland’s most successful athlete, though currently Katie doesn’t admit to be Ireland’s best female.
“Sonia O’Sullivan has always been my hero, and I still rate her as the greatest Irish athlete of all time. I don’t know if I can take her spot yet. She’s fantastic”
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