Katie Taylor has taken to social media to pay tribute to her father Pete Taylor for the influence he has had on her career and women's boxing in general.
Prior to 2016, Pete Taylor was in Katie's corner for virtually every fight of her career to that point. Since then however, the pair have parted ways professionally, with Katie linking up with current trainer Ross Enamait six years ago.
Katie returned to the ring this Saturday and defeated Karen Elizabeth Carabajal on a card that featured Pete Taylor trained Gary Cully. During fight week, the two Taylor's shared a warm embrace backstage after the weigh-in. This evening, Katie has posted an emotional message on Instagram praising her father and longtime trainer.
READ MORE: Katie Taylor's father Pete slams Kellie Harrington in long statement
"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."
"It is as much a part of his legacy as it is mine. He saw a future for this sport that few others saw."
Taylor's comments come in the middle of a war of words between her father and fellow Olympic Gold medalist Kellie Harrington. In her new book 'Kellie,' Harrington spoke of the strained relationship she had with Katie's father.
“I could have learnt so much training with Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes and Kenny Egan, and Katie Taylor. But it just wasn’t happening, and that made it really hard. Katie didn’t spar with females; Pete didn’t want her sparring with them. I asked for it, but it never happened.
"The general attitude of the IABA towards women’s boxing really annoyed me. Women weren’t being looked after; just one woman — Katie — was. And the IABA were letting this happen. The women weren’t getting the opportunity to train with the best, and they weren’t being sent to the multi-nations training camps and tournaments that the men were being sent to."
Speaking at her book launch in conversation with Second Captains, Harrington said: "I never won a fight with him in my corner. The first time I ever went away without him in my corner I won a silver medal in the World Championships."
Pete however, didn't take too kindly to Kellie's remarks. In a statement issued on social media he said, "First I would like to congratulate the Irish female boxing team for their success in the latest championships. Ireland's female boxers are now as feared as the male Cuban boxers/
Taylor continued by saying that he didn't usually respond but felt he had to address what Kellie Harrington had said about his role in female boxing.
"I'd like to start by stating that I am proud of my role and efforts both with the IABA and AIBA working to get female boxing recognized and for spearheading campaigns to get female boxing sanctioned in Ireland and as an Olympic sport.
"Kelly would unlikely be in the position she is today if it wasn't for that: FACT
"I travelled with Katie to every boxing tournament around the world, Katie was a trailblazer for woman's boxing both domestically and internationally."
He added: "You said "you were not given the opportunities" yet you were away on trips with the Irish boxing teams many times; Liverpool, Holland, Poland to name a few.
"You were beaten in a box off in the national stadium to go to the worlds in Barbados by Allana Murphy. So you had many opportunities. FACT"
And he also responded to claims that he stopped Harrington from fighting.
"No coach has the autonomy to select teams"
"Everyone in boxing is well aware that central council select all national teams and not coaches: FACT"
Despite issues between Kellie and Pete, Harrington has been keen to stress in recent days that there are no issues between herself and Katie.
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