Katie Taylor is going to get to do something tonight that she has never done before.
The Bray woman will box for an Irish title at the National Stadium for the very first time in her career.
The Olympic Champion is set to take on Shauna O’Keeffe for the vacant Irish lightweight title later, but there will be one major absence from her corner for the title bout.
It’s been confirmed today that, for the first time in a decade, Pete Taylor will not be in his daughter’s corner.
According to RTE, Taylor’s father will still be at the fight, but not ringside to advise his daughter as he feels the stress of watching Taylor is proving too much.
However, he will be back in her corner for either the Olympic qualifiers in Istanbul next April or the World Championships in Kazakhstan next May,
However, for tonight at least Katie’s brother Lee will take Pete’s place in her corner, along with interim coach Zaur Antia.
Katie Taylor's dad Pete to take a step back from Katie's corner for a time. Will be back for Olympics via @Darrenfrehill on @morningireland
— Ciara Ní Bhroin (@Ciarastweets) November 27, 2015
The news will be a shock to many in boxing who admire the close father-daughter relationship between Pete and Katie.
https://twitter.com/JoeNaughton247/status/670166882796859392
While some feel there is more to the story than meets the eye, Taylor insists he is just taking a break and will be keeping a close eye from the front row on the South Circular Road.
“I’m taking a break from the corner. After years it can be stressful watching your daughter fight,” Taylor told the Irish Times. “But I’ll be there in the crowd in the front so… we are trying new things at the moment so we’ll see how it goes this time.
