Golden girl Katie Taylor brought a big smile to the faces of some little fighters yesterday when she visited Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin.
The gold medalist took time out of her hectic schedule to pop in to say hello, to the delight of the patients and staff.
Katie hugged and chatted to all the kids and some of them got to try on her medal.
Seven-year-old Bridget Connors from Dublin is pretty in pink to meet Katie.
The Bray boxing star spoke on Ian Dempsey’s Today FM Breakfast Show yesterday and said her dad and coach, Peter, is getting “stressed out” at the prospect of her turning professional.
Jack O’Sullivan from Tallaght shows off his poster he made for the boxing champion.
Keith Maguire, 12, from Louth was delighted to meet his hero.
The fighter said she is waiting to see what contracts she is offered before she makes the final decision on her future.
“Professional boxing is a very, very different sport to amateur,” Katie said.
“It’s 10 rounds for women and no headgear and smaller gloves. It’s very different. It’s a big decision. But any decision I do make, Pete is behind me.”
Katie gives three and a half-month old Anna May Ward from Athenry, Galway a hug.
Katie meets five-year-old Ella Sherlock from Dublin during her visit to Crumlin.
She added that he is “stressed out” before joking that he had a full head of hair before she started boxing.
Speaking of his daughter’s future, Pete said; “It’s Katie’s decision and whatever she decides we’ll back her 100 per cent. I’d have loved the Olympic final to have been her last fight but we’ll back her 100 per cent.”
The gold medallist also revealed Irish actor Liam Neeson rang her up to congratulate her, but she thought the call was a joke.
“I thought it was a wind-up!” she laughed.
Eight-year-old Sinead Summers from Berring, Co Cork holds up Katie’s gold medal.
Katie and her family are jetting off on a family break to Ibiza on Thursday where Katie said she will think seriously about what the future holds for her.
