Olympic Champion Katie Taylor joined Ray in studio this morning ahead of her ‘Road to Rio’ preparation fight on Friday 29th November.
Katie will take on Melissa Parker of the USA in an intimate setting in the Round Room, at Dublin’s Mansion House, as part of her ‘Road to Rio’ preparations for next year’s AIBA World and European Championships, and ultimately the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
She captured the hearts of the nation during the Olympics when she won gold for Ireland and her winning fight, against Sofya Ochigava of Russia, has often been cited as Ireland’s most iconic sporting moment of 2012.
She’s a huge fan of Roy Keane, describing him as “one of my heroes growing up”. Speaking about the new Martin O’Neill-Roy Keane management team, Katie said: “It’s really exciting, I think there’s no better man really to instill some pride in the country than Roy Keane”. She’s never met her hero, however, and asked Ray if he could help arrange a meeting.
Katie’s still happy living at home and joked “I’ll probably be there till I’m 40 I think”. She told Ray that she’s finding it hard to find the right house and the right location, adding that when she does move out she’ll “have to get a butler” to help with the washing.
Ray asked Katie if she thinks about the Rio Olympics daily: “I probably would actually, that’s the long-term goal and that’s what gets me up every morning but at the same time I don’t think too far ahead”.
She was also impressed by her friend Stephanie Roche’s recent goal for Peamount United, calling it “unbelievable”.
Listen back here to full interview:
Fights
Friday 29th November: Katie Taylor v Melissa Parker (America) at The Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin 2
The following day she has a fight in Bray (against Mira Potkonen of Finland)
More information and tickets at www.afterdark.ie
