Roland-Garros a fitting stage for Kellie Harrington’s greatest day

The first fight on Tuesday will be the men’s 71kg semi-final with Harrington’s showdown with People’s Republic of China’s Yang Wenlu the last contest of the night (10.06pm Irish time).

FOCUSED ON GOLD: Ireland’s Kellie Harrington will take to the ring at Roland Garros in the 60kg final in search of retaining her Olympic title. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

There is something about this place. As an emotional Novak Djokovic turned his back to the net and celebrated his biggest sporting success last Sunday, Roland Garros had already started to move on. Rackets and balls make way for leather and canvas.

Philippe‑Chatrier Court has already been transformed to host five nights of boxing finals, starting on Tuesday when Kellie Harrington defends her crown from Tokyo. It is a fitting stage for a historic sporting moment and a welcome improvement on the dull Paris Nord Arena on the outskirts of town that hosted boxing before this.