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Katie: won the national title by walkover in three of the last four years. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Boxing

Katie Taylor has a challenger for her Irish senior title this year

Katie is set to fight on national finals weekend — but will Jason Quigley even defend his title?

KATIE TAYLOR WILL have to fight for her Irish senior title this year after a challenger stepped up to take her on.

Belfast’s Alanna Murphy has entered the women’s lightweight division which means there will be no walkover for Taylor as in previous years.

The two are no strangers having made history together 13 years ago when they fought in the first officially sanctioned women’s bout in Ireland.

Barring any last-minute entries, they will meet again in the 60kg final on 7/8 March.

Murphy, 28, won bronze at the first European Union Championships in 2006 and will hope to use the bout as part of her preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Two-time Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes has entered the men’s light-flyweight division after missing last year’s championships with the flu while London team-mates Michael Conlan, Darren O’Neill and Adam Nolan will also compete.

But there is continuing uncertainty about the future of Jason Quigley. The world number two had not registered to defend his middleweight title as of 1.30pm, with the deadline for entries at 6pm this evening.

Quigley has been linked to a number of professional promoters on the back of his explosive year in 2013 and if he opts out of nationals, it may be seen as another step towards a pro move.

Over 100 boxers have entered for the championships which begin with preliminary rounds this Friday and Saturday, 21 and 22 February.

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