Tag Archives: Irish Olympic Boxing Team

London 2012: Katie Taylor Leads The Fight For Olympic Gold

Posted on by
Reply

Katie Taylor is part of the Irish Olympic Boxing team, and the four time World Champion is leading the way in the fight for medals at London 2012.

The Irish Boxing team has already come together for intense training session in preparation for the Games. The pressure is on for them, particularly for Katie, who has been leading the way in her category. The team’s head coach, Billy Walsh knows this better than others:

‘Katie is the flagship of the women’s sport and one of the main reasons it got into the Games. Other countries are chasing her and trying to find ways to beat her’

But even in the face of such pressure, Katie remains determined and is thriving on the opportunity a head of her:

‘For me, it has been a lifelong ambition to represent my country in the Olympic Games, so I want to enjoy the privilege and take it all in’

‘I am aware of the expectation that is on me, but nobody expects more of me than myself’

For Katie, there is more to the Summer Games then a medal hunt. As the world number one, she will be leading the way in the return of women’s boxing to the Olympics in over 100 years. Not since the 1904 Games in St. Louis have women battled it out in the boxing ring at the Olympics.

‘The world is going to see how competitive it is and I think people will be shocked when they see it’ says Katie.

This is an exciting time for the entire team and we wish them luck in the coming weeks.
 

Men of Action: Ireland’s Olympic Boxing Team Gear Up For The Games

Posted on by
Reply

The London Games are only weeks away and teams all over the world are gearing up for this global stage.

Ireland is no exception and is proving to be a strong contender this year.

Ireland’s boxing team has been assembled and are making their final preparations for the games. The team consists of Darren O’Neill, Paddy Barnes, John Joe Nevin, Michael Conlan, Adam Nolan, and Katie Taylor.

O’Neill, the team captain says the team have a positive attitude going into the games:

‘All of the squad are capable of winning medals if we perform to the best of our abilities. We’re capable of beating anyone, but they’re capable of beating us also, so it is crucial that we perform to our best’

‘A bit of luck in the draw would also be welcome in London, but that’s outside our control. However, we can control our own performances. If we do that the rest will follow’

Making his Olympic debut this summer in the boxing is Michael Conlan, a 21 year old flyweight boxer from Belfast. Conlan qualified for the the games at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, after he beat Nordine Oubaali.

‘It was a great fight. It was a tough fight,’ explains Conlan. ‘I was behind at one stage at the start of the first round, so I was three points down and I pulled it back. I was happy with that’.

He is confident that he is the right competitor for the Olympic games, and like O’Neill is focusing on his performance.

‘Go as far as possible. Win the first 30 seconds of the first round and keep winning the next 30 seconds of each round’

‘Anything can happen at the Olympic Games. You see favourites getting beat. You see unbelievable results happening. You see world records. You see Usain Bolt. You see the unexpected’

And we’re excited to see Conlan and the Irish Boxing Team. With not long to go, we wish them the best of luck and hope you all get behind them!