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Katie Taylor is hoping that her fans can recreate just a sample of the atmosphere that saw her win Gold at last years Olympics when she takes on two weight German Champion, Maike Klueners at a sold out Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin this Sunday night.
Klueners faces the daunting task of literally taking to the stage at the 2,000 seater Daniel Liebeskind designed Theatre as she steps into the ring to take on a national treasure.
Taylor famously added the Olympic Gold medal last year to an honours list that includes an incredible four World Championship Golds and 5 European titles.
Her quest for precious metal remains diminished and the Bray woman has set her long term sights on another Gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Sunday’s bout with Klueners is the first of two bouts at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with a second bout scheduled for the same venue on Friday, March 24th against Ukrainian champ Yulia Tsiplakova.
Taylor says she is looking forward to getting back in the ring and shedding the ring rust accumulated since London. “It’s probably the longest layoff I’ve had since I started boxing.” admitted the 26-year-old. “I only took a few weeks off after the Olympics and I’ve been back training for quite a while now so I just can’t wait to get back in the ring again.
“Boxing in front of a home crowd is always so special and after all the support I’ve received since the Olympics I want to repay that by putting in some big performances in these upcoming fights.”
Promoter Brian Peters has promised an action packed event on Sunday, “Pete Taylor has put together an excellent 10 bout card,” revealed Peters. Obviously Katie is the star of the show but she will be ably supported by two time Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes and Katie’s Olympic and Bray boxing club team mate Adam Nolan.
“The card will feature the full spectrum of amateur boxing right down to two 10 year old girls having their first ever exhibition bout, so in 10 years time they could be the emerging Katie Taylor’s of the future. As well as the boxing – we want to tell Katie’s incredible story throughout the night and also get the crowd involved and really give people a night to remember.”
The event will be hosted by television and radio presenter Aidan Power while filmmaker Ross Whitaker who recently won an IFTA for the documentary
“When Ali came to Ireland” has put together some exclusive video content for the event detailing Taylor’s punishing training regime and a revealing interview with Taylor. Those in attendance on Sunday night will also be in a position to take home two unique mementos of the occasion.
Artist Michael Hanrahan will paint a scene from Katie’s fight as it happens with the completed painting given away to a member of the audience while the Olympic champion will also present her gloves from the bout to a lucky audience member following the bout.
Of course Taylor’s opponent on the night, Maike Klueners is planning on playing the role of party pooper and said. “Katie is the best female fighter in the world today but she is human too and boxing is a sport where anything is possible. I know it won’t be easy but I have a brave heart and I believe I will be a very dangerous opponent for Katie.”
Doors open at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 5 at Sunday with the first bout at 5:30 and Katie Taylor expected in the ring at approximately 9pm.
The full lineup for Sunday is:
Bout 1: Regan Buckley (Bray) V Mannion Collins (Trinity Boys)
Bout 2: Casey Berry (Bray) V Leigh Moran (Illies GG)
Bout 3: Kaci Rock (Bray) V Leah Farley Crumlin)
Bout 4: Sam Carroll (Bray) V Johnny O’Keefe Trinity Boys)
Bout 5: Tommy Maughan (Trinity Boys) V Martin Collins (Trinity Boys)
Bout 6: Richie Hedderman (Bray) V Diego Capocci (Neilstown)
Bout 7: Craig Bonney (Trinity Boys) V Michael McGrane (Crumlin)
Bout 8: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family) V Aidan Metcalfe (Crumlin)
Bout 9: Adam Nolan (Bray) V Martin Wall (Crumlin)
Bout 10: Katie Taylor (Bray, Ireland) V Maike Klüners (Düsseldorf, Germany)
Tickets for Katie Taylor’s second bout at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Friday, March 22nd are priced from €40 (with a discount available for under 14’s) and on sale from Ticketmaster.ie (0818 719 377) or the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Box Office.
