Sharks fighting fit as Bray prepares for boxing bouts

Sweeping through homes and businesses, Olympic fever has taken Bray, Co Wicklow, by storm.

Despite disappointment for Adam Nolan last night, Bray is gearing up for its other Olympic boxer Katie Taylor’s first fights in London.

Two more Bray natives who have shown equal amounts of fighting spirit have been named Katie and Adam in their honour.

Bray Sea Life named the two newborn bamboo cat sharks after the boxers after the pair fought hard to come into the world.

“The town has come to life in the run-up to the fight, and the sharks were born one day apart, so we thought it would be a lovely idea to name them after the boxers,” said Dawn McGrath, operations manager of Sea Life.

Meanwhile, up to 10,000 people are expected to turn up to an outdoor screening of Taylor’s fight ar the town’s bandstand on Monday.

Bray is hosting a carnival on its seafront as part of its celebrations and the ‘Get Out and Shout’ campaign to support the boxers, organised by Bray town council.

“We are all ready to go, there is a great atmosphere around the town,” chairman of Bray town council Mick Glynn said.

“Local band Coddle, who have penned a single in honour of Katie, will play for an hour before the fight and we have lots of entertainment for after.

“I have gone to a lot of her fights, and I think she has a good chance. It will be close but we will have to wait and see.”

If the world champion wins her fights, the final will be shown near Katie’s home of Balywaltrim.