'She's coming back this time': fans flock to see Katie Taylor in action ...
The Katie Taylor effect was in full view as fans young and old thronged to see their idol go through her paces in the ring before her rematch with Chantelle Cameron this weekend.
Hundreds of fans gathered in the centre of Liffey Valley Shopping Centre to watch as Bray’s finest entered the ring for a public workout.
The last time Taylor met Cameron in the ring, back in May, it ended in defeat for the Bray boxer, the first of her professional career.
Despite the defeat, support for Taylor (37) was undeniable at the event held in advance of the fight. As Taylor was introduced, the crowds erupted into loud applause and enthusiastic cheers.
“I came all the way down from Ballymena,” Jayne O’Donnell said. “She’s coming back this time, she’s going to do it.”
Ms O’Donnell, who has been a fan of Taylor’s “since the beginning”, said that even if the upcoming fight ended in a second defeat, it would not change how she viewed the boxer.
“She definitely has to win it this time but we’re still going to love her anyway,” Ms O’Donnell said.
It was also an exciting day for Taylor’s younger fans, who did not miss the opportunity to show their support.
“I actually dressed up as her for Halloween one year,” said Niamh Flood (11), from Annacurragh in Co Wicklow. Niamh, who was joined by friend Amelia Doyle (11) and her younger sister Arabella (9), said Taylor was “inspiring”.
Katie Taylor fans Sisters Amelia (11) and Arabella (9) Doyle with their friend Niamh Flood all from Annacurragh Co Wicklow, at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Humphreys
“As a Wicklow girl, it’s really inspiring that she made it up so far,” she added.
Having the chance to see their idol was a big deal for the three fans from Wicklow, Amelia and Arabella’s mother, Evelyn Doyle, said.
“With Katie Taylor today they were like, ‘This is just the best’! You’d swear it was Christmas early,” Ms Doyle said.
Those looking to follow in Taylor’s footsteps also came out to cheer on their idol.
Katie supporter Faye Redmond (8), from Ballyfermot, watches her hero. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
“We’ve been watching her since we were younger and growing up, seeing her on the TV and looking up to her as our idol,” said Georgia McGovern, from Tallaght.
“She’s set such a high standard for us. She’s brought women’s boxing up so we could be able to achieve what she has achieved.”
Explaining why she looks up to Taylor, Rebecca Kavanagh, from Celbridge, Co Kildare, said: “She’s just so determined, she never stops.”
Katie Taylor fans Georgia McGovern from Kilmananagh Tallaght and Rebecca Kavanagh from Cellbridge Co Kildare at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre during a ringside appearance there ahead of her rematch fight. Photo by Steve Humphreys 22nd November 2023.
Both Ms McGovern and Ms Kavanagh said they would be tuning into the rematch on Saturday and had no doubt that Taylor could come out victorious.
“We want to see her win, especially after last time, she has to win,” Ms McGovern said.
For Kian Duff, from Stepaside in Dublin, Taylor is a role model not just because of her conduct in the ring, but outside it too.
Katie Taylor fan Kian Duff, from Stepaside, Dublin, at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Humphreys
“I think the way she carries herself, she’s very respectful,” Mr Duff said.
“She’s a great boxer, very determined and she’s a good person in general.
“She’s done a lot for this country, she’s done a lot for boxing, for women’s boxing as well. I have little cousins who box, who are girls, they look up to her.”
Taylor’s highly anticipated fight against Cameron (32) will take place in the 3Arena this Saturday, with around 9,000 fans attending the sold-out event in Dublin.
