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Boxing

17th Aug 2021

“I’ve had some offers” – Kellie Harrington weighs up her options of turning professional or staying ameatuer

Lee Costello

“I’ll definitely be coming to that decision sooner rather than later.”

Kellie Harrington stole the hearts of Ireland as she snatched the gold medal in Tokyo last week.

The only other Irish person to win this award was of course Kate Taylor, so to see Harrington follow in her footsteps and achieve that same feat was incredible.

Taylor then went on to conquer the professional boxing game, currently the undisputed lightweight champion and undefeated.

Fans are wondering if their latest champion will be embarking on a similar journey, or will Harrington be looking to go for gold again Paris?

Pictured is Tokyo 2020 Olympics Gold Medallist and FBD Insurance Ambassador Kellie Harrington, celebrating her Gold Medal win. FBD Insurance is a principal sponsor to Team Ireland since September 2018. It is this same spirit of support and protection that sees FBD as Ireland’s largest homegrown insurer support more than 500,000 policyholders for over 50 years.

“At the moment, I’m not even off the plane a week yet so I genuinely don’t know what I’m doing — whether I’m going pro, whether I’m not going pro,” said Harrington, who was speaking to journalists in her role as ambassador for FBD Insurance, sponsors of the Irish Olympic team.

“I’ve had some offers. I don’t know what to do yet. It’s a big decision to make so I have to be sure that I make the right decision — not just for me but for my family and Mandy (partner) and stuff.

“So, I’ll have to see what I do but I’ll definitely be coming to that decision sooner rather than later because I want to get back training, so it has to be made.

“She does her thing and I do my thing. At the moment, this is my thing, this is my time. I’m not thinking of Katie Taylor, I’m not thinking of fighting Katie Taylor; she’s not even on my radar. She hasn’t been on my radar.

“She will continue to do great things and I’m sure whatever I will do will be great for me.”