Katie Taylor puts Alan through his paces in the ring in the latest ‘Challenge Alan’ for Ireland AM.

Tuesday 1st, 11:33am

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 29th September 2013

Katie Taylor puts Alan through his paces in the ring in the latest

‘Challenge Alan’ for Ireland AM.

Alan Hughes meets Olympic champion Katie Taylor in her boxing club in Bray County Wicklow for the latest ‘Challenge Alan’

Katie discusses the road to Rio 2016 and dismisses rumours of turning professional despite being frustrated by the lack of fights coming her way under the IABA

Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday on TV3 from 7am.

Catch ‘Challenge Alan’ at 10.25am tomorrow (Monday 30th Sep). Join in on Twitter with the hashtag #ChallengeAlan

In the latest Ireland AM ‘Challenge Alan’ Katie Taylor shows Alan a thing or two in the boxing ring. Olympic champion Katie invited Alan to her boxing club in Bray where they had a quick chat before getting down to business.

Katie told Alan that she trains twice a day, six days a week but it’s mostly conditioning as she does not have any imminent fights. She revealed that she has a big year ahead of her with the Europeans and the World Championships but she is certain she will not be going pro any time soon.

“Well I’ve just been a bit obviously frustrated over the last few weeks with the amateur set up. It would have to be an exceptional deal for me to turn pro. The thing that’s keeping me amateur at the moment is thinking of Rio in three year’s time. I’d love to be able to go over and defend the title in a few years’ time so that’s the main goal for me at the moment.”

Katie beamed with pride about which part of taking part in the London Olympics meant the most to her.

“Seeing all the boxing clubs around the country, they’re packed at the moment with kids. It really has inspired all the young kids to get into the sport and so many young girls starting boxing as well.”

“It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s probably the most satisfying thing of it all, seeing so many girls boxing now and obviously the junior teams coming up are absolutely brilliant. There’s some great talent coming up.”

When Alan commented on the “run-down” state of Katie’s gym in Bray she told him that she won’t know herself soon as it will be getting done up. Luckily for Alan, Katie plays fair so she left the first-time boxer with a few words of wisdom before entering the ring.

“Your hands obviously have to be up to protect yourself, so up by your face. When you’re jabbing, the jab is the most basic punch, the most important punch so make sure your hands are by your chin at all times.”

Good luck Alan!!

The new extended Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday on TV3 from 7am – 10.45am.

Catch ‘Challenge Alan’ at 10.25am. Join in on Twitter with the hashtag #ChallengeAlan

Images have been sent to your picture desks

ENDS

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

00353 1 419 3329

00353 87 319 9732

Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity

00353 1 419 3430
00353 87 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie