OLYMPIC, WORLD AND European champion Katie Taylor will have a challenger for her title at the National Elite Championships.
Reigning U22 and intermediate champion Louise Donohoe has entered in the 60kg division and will face Taylor on finals night.
The Geesala BC lightweight has already won nine national titles in her young career and now prepares to test herself against the best in the world.
With a shortage of opponents willing to face her, Taylor has won the national title unopposed in recent years. EU bronze medallist Alanna Audley-Murphy was due to take her on in 2014 but was forced to withdraw due to a family bereavement.
A total of 93 boxers — 67 male and 26 female — have registered for Nationals which begin this Friday night, 9 January, at the National Stadium.
Five-time champion Eric Donovan has been ruled out with a rib injury while lightweight and light-heavweight champions David Oliver Joyce and Joe Ward have vacated their titles to sign with AIBA Pro Boxing.
But London Olympians Michael Conlan, Adam Nolan and Darren O’Neill have all entered, the latter making the step up to fight at heavyweight.
