Once Upon A Time ep2 | Katie Taylor Original Podcast Series

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SPEAKER_4 (1:26)

One of the biggest legends to ever come out of this country.

SPEAKER_1 (1:29)

Fashion performance by a special fighter.

SPEAKER_3 (1:32)

And the undisputed lightweight champion.

Scott Hamilton (1:37)

The biggest fight in the history of this country. Hello and welcome back to Once Upon A Time, a Matchroom Boxing Podcast audio series focusing on Katie Taylor's final fight at Croke Park in Dublin on September 5th, live on The Zone. Now, in episode one, we heard from Katie herself plus her parents, Bridget and Pete.

And for episode two today, we dip into Katie's footballing career, her faith, and also her first sanctioned amateur fight in Ireland, which is where we begin. As referenced during the chat with Peter Taylor, Katie's fight at the National Stadium in Dublin against Alanna Nihell, then Alanna Murphy, on Halloween 2001, proved to be one of the most pivotal moments in women's boxing in the country.

Irish Amateur Boxing Association president Dominic O'Rourke called the event a momentous day for Irish boxing. Now fast approaching the 25th year anniversary, I was delighted to catch up with Alanna herself, who shared some memories of that landmark occasion, which was the first sanctioned Irish female fight. Some of her own accolades, and it was lovely to hear that she's still heavily involved in the sport, and also still in touch with Katie to this day.

Alanna Nihell (2:39)

I can't believe it's 25 years. In fact, she's having her last fight a month before, that 25-year mark when the first female sanctioned fight in Ireland happened. It's crazy to see how far women's boxing has came, and knowing to be a part of that, and to see what Katie has done for women's boxing, it's just mega to be a part of it and watch her journey. But yeah, 25 years, it doesn't feel like that at all.

Scott Hamilton (3:04)

Before we jump into the fight and the surrounding, just a bit of background for those that may be not familiar with the story. So yourself, you represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games and got a bronze medal in 2014 in Glasgow, and then featured the following Commonwealths down under. I mean, from a personal point of view, that must have just been an unbelievable experience, and you must be very proud of that achievement.

Alanna Nihell (3:26)

Oh, amazing. You know, go away. Yeah, the second time I did medal, but I was team captain for my team, you know, and to have that experience from the first games and to be there to support, especially halfway across the world, you know, it was some experience, some of the memories I'll always cherish. Yeah, so proud to represent my country, you know, as I say, Boxer Ireland since I was 16, at the Europeans and World's Championships. So yeah, to be away again and representing, that's a big thing. I'll always be proud of.

Scott Hamilton (3:56)

Mentioning about team captain, I believe as well, you were the first female British Army team captain, which again, just must be so proud, proud moment to do that. I know you're still involved with the Army setup as well now.

Alanna Nihell (4:07)

Yeah, a big, big moment.

I joined the Army when it was, I was on a high performance programme with Ireland. I was training with Helen Baines. I came from that kind of background to join the Army and it was really behind in female boxing. I had to break down so many barriers to female boxing to get accepted. Quite similar how it was obviously on the civilian side of the circuit. I had to really break down the barriers and in a man's world, a kind of a dominant male sport. Then joining the Army, again, very male dominated, but being the Belfast girl I am, I kind of took on my stride and was so glad to see that movement. I was so glad to be the first of many to see how far the guards have came within the military.