Ireland’s world champion boxer Katie Taylor has received a hero’s welcome in her home town of Bray.
Thousands of fans descended on the County Wicklow town this evening as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world showed off her glittering array of belts.
Taylor defeated Belgian Delfine Persoon at New York's Madison Square Garden to win the undisputed title in the early hours of Sunday morning.
She won the match on points after a bruising encounter.
Luckily, Katie’s family is big enough to carry all her belts on stage! #KatieTaylorHomecomingBray pic.twitter.com/tHUZMLE2Yu
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) June 7, 2019
Speaking to presenter Des Cahill at the special event in Bray, she paid tribute to her fans for coming out.
“The support I get in this town is incredible,” she said. “It is always great to come back here.”
#Wicklow welcomes home Katie Taylor #GoKatie #KatieTaylorHomecomingBray pic.twitter.com/vnztoTfwD9
— Wicklow County Council (@wicklowcoco) June 7, 2019
Padraig Moran, a two-time Paralympian and close friend of Taylor’s, was among those in attendance this evening.
“To become an undisputed champion in any sport – it is not done very often,” he said.
“She is in an elite club.”
Bray gathers to welcome home a hero. #KatieTaylorHomecomingBray pic.twitter.com/DzfkuNdQuH
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) June 7, 2019
“I think for Bray, Katie has always been very much, ‘this is where I am from,’" said Mr Moran
“She is introduced, going into the ring, as being from Bray, County Wicklow – so she has never forgotten where she came from.”
Taylor has described her achievement as the “absolute pinnacle of the sport.”
Main image shows Katie Taylor greeting supporters in front of the stage in Bray, County Wicklow, 07-06-2019. Image: INPHO/Oisin Keniry
