Boxing News Boxing News
Katie Taylor’s first bout since securing an historic gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics will be at the Irish Daily Star sponsored 2013 National Elite Championships.
The IABA launched the blue ribbon event of Irish boxing at today’s press conference at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.
Taylor will face experienced Polish lightweight Karolina Graczyk in an Ireland versus Poland clash on Elite Championships Finals Night at the Citywest Hotel on February 22nd.
The 2013 edition of the Championships begin at the National Stadium in Dublin on February 8th.
Taylor and Graczyk need no introduction, as Taylor, who is now in her 7th successive year as AIBA World No. 1 lightweight, beat the Pole in a cracking final at the 2011 European Union Women’s Championships in Poland.
Meanwhile, 2010 and 2008 AIBA World Youth champions Joe Ward and Ray Moylette, the current European light-heavyweight and light-welterweight champions, will also be competing at the 2013 Elite Championships.
Ward will be aiming for his third straight Irish title this season. The power-punching Moate BC southpaw beat 2008 Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan – reversals which denied Egan an unprecedented 11th Irish title – in the last two Elite light-heavyweight finals.
He said: “My Irish title is very important to me. I will have one last fight this weekend in the World Series of Boxing and hopefully I can get a win in Italy on Saturday night, that would be a good boost for the Elite Championships.
“Everything is going well for me. My training has gone great and I’m feeling sharp and fit. I done all the road work, the pad work, everything. The World Series will give me the opportunity to get a competitive bout under my belt and then all my focus will be on defending my Irish title.”
Individuals or business interests wishing to become involved in programme sponsorship or who wish to sponsor an individual final at the Elite Championships should contact Kieran Ryan at (087) 234 8600
Tickets for the February 22nd Finals Night are now available at all Ticketmaster Outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.ie
