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Boxing

16th Nov 2015

UFC champion Holly Holm was well up for fighting Katie Taylor in 2013

Imagine

Ben Kiely

It turns out that there were discussion over a potential fight between Holly Holm and Katie Taylor back in 2013.

The guys over at Irish-Boxing.com have dug up some great quotes from past interviews they did with the woman who head kicked Ronda Rousey unconscious at UFC 193.

In 2012/2013, Holm was a professional boxer as well as a mixed martial artist, and she knew all about Katie Taylor’s gold medal winning performance at the Olympic games in London.

“I think she did a wonderful job of representing women’s boxing, and I would like to congratulate her on her medal.”

From an interview in 2012, she confirmed that she was approached about fighting Taylor, but did not know her at the time.

“Yes, from the media in Europe that had called and asked if we would fight her. At the time they called I never had heard of her.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15:  Ronda Rousey of the United States (R) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Holm was full of confidence about taking on Taylor, and felt that the fighting pride of Bray needed a few professional fights under her belt before taking on a world champion pro boxer such as herself.

“Right now, yes. She is young and needs to get some experience then we can make a big fight! It would be a mismatch and we fight ten two minute rounds not eight rounds or head gear. But I am very happy for Katie, she has brought much attention to women’s boxing.”

In a separate interview in 2013, Holm gave more details about being approached to fight Taylor. She admitted being very proud of her Irish heritage and was interested in fighting Taylor to “see who really is the best Irish fighter in the world.”

“My promoter was approached by some promoter named Peter [unconfirmed whether this is Peter Taylor or Brian Peters] to see if we would fight her we said gladly – do you know what your getting in to? But it would be a great fight to see who really is the best Irish fighter in the world. I am very proud of my heritage.”

Does that mean we can claim her as our own?

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