Katie Taylor has stood by her father, following criticism from Kellie Harrington in her new book.
Harrington sparked a war of words after she heavily criticised former national women’s boxing head coach Pete Taylor and the Irish Athletic and Boxing Association (IABA). In Her book, Kellie wrote that she felt women boxers were held back because Pete "didn't see past Katie."
However, Katie has come out to defend her dad, giving her support in an Instagram post. She wrote: "In as much as people have given me credit for the inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympics, it would not have happened without my da tirelessly campaigning outside the ring.
Read more: Katie Taylor's dad Pete blasts Kellie Harrington as war of words escalates
"It is as much a part of his legacy as mine. He saw a future for this sport that few others saw.”
The Bray woman has also revealed a "likely" date for a Croke Park boxing bout, following her incredible performance in London at the weekend.
Katie says that a fight at GAA headquarters could take place in 'April or May' 2023. The Irish sporting hero spoke to The MMA Hour on her hopes to fight in the Dublin stadium.
"There's no date right now, but April or May some time, I think" she said. "Apparently the whole month of May is free for Croke Park so I think it's looking likely that month."
Katie's promoter Eddie Hearn says the homecoming fight would be one of the greatest sporting evenings Ireland has ever seen. Hearn promised Taylor’s next fight will come to Croke Park in 2023, pushing for a rematch between Olympic champion Katie and Amanda Serrano after their epic Madison Square Garden bout this year.
Hearn believes the event will be a boxing event without parallel for his Matchroom promotion company. He said: “It would have to be the biggest thing we have ever done in boxing.
“We have done some great things to date and I don’t want to sound cheesy. But to see Katie get that moment as well [in Croke Park] – and it’s not just a night for her it is a night to remember for Irish sport.
“You are talking about a night that honestly would be up there I guess in the top three of greatest for Irish sport. It is something you have never seen and you will never see again.”
Read next:
- Kellie Harrington opens up on relationship with Katie Taylor's father Pete
- Katie Taylor's net worth and the amount paid for fights
- Kellie Harrington shocks RTE viewers with insights on her rebellious past
Katie Taylor named world's most marketable fighter ahead of Conor McGregor
Katie Taylor’s personal life from father fallout to relationship questions
