Katie Taylor and Nina Meinke at today's press conference in London. Lawrence Lustig / INPHO
Lawrence Lustig / INPHO / INPHO
NINA MEINKE WILL need to get the better of her idol if she’s to keep her undefeated record intact this weekend in London.
Meinke (5-0) will take on Katie Taylor (4-0) at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night on the undercard of the heavyweight title bout between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.
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The meeting of Meinke and the 30-year-old Bray native is a world title eliminator, while the WBA intercontinental lightweight title will also be on the line.
Taylor will be aiming for her fifth professional victory in as many months, following an amateur career that yielded six world championship gold medals and one Olympic crown.
“To be honest, [Katie] is one of my idols but it’s good to be in the ring with her now so I can see where I stand. You’ve got to box the best to be the best,” Meinke said at today’s press conference in London.
On fighting at Wembley, the 23-year-old German said: “It’s a massive opportunity. I’m happy to be here. I’m nervous but I’ll try to turn it into positive energy because I want to enjoy it. It’s an event that I’ll only get once in my life so I really want to enjoy it.”
Anthony Joshua, Katie Taylor Luke Campbell and Wladimir Klitschko show off their Olympic medals. Lawrence Lustig / INPHO
Lawrence Lustig / INPHO / INPHO
For Taylor, fighting in London brings back positive memories: “Ever since I turned pro I’ve had the privilege of boxing in big stadiums and on big shows but each time, the occasion seems to be getting bigger and better.
“London has been very good to me in recent years with the Olympics, and I made my pro debut here, and now I have the opportunity to actually win my first pro title at the weekend as well. I can’t wait for it.”
She added: “I think women’s boxing is definitely on a high at the moment and I’m very lucky that there are so many great fights out there to be made in the future.
“I want to be involved in big, big fights that are going to interest the public, and there are definitely plenty of girls out there to make those fights happen so it’s an exciting time to be involved in the sport.”
Nina aims to pop idol Katie: 'You've got to box the best to be the best'
NINA MEINKE WILL need to get the better of her idol if she’s to keep her undefeated record intact this weekend in London.
Meinke (5-0) will take on Katie Taylor (4-0) at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night on the undercard of the heavyweight title bout between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.
The meeting of Meinke and the 30-year-old Bray native is a world title eliminator, while the WBA intercontinental lightweight title will also be on the line.
Taylor will be aiming for her fifth professional victory in as many months, following an amateur career that yielded six world championship gold medals and one Olympic crown.
“To be honest, [Katie] is one of my idols but it’s good to be in the ring with her now so I can see where I stand. You’ve got to box the best to be the best,” Meinke said at today’s press conference in London.
On fighting at Wembley, the 23-year-old German said: “It’s a massive opportunity. I’m happy to be here. I’m nervous but I’ll try to turn it into positive energy because I want to enjoy it. It’s an event that I’ll only get once in my life so I really want to enjoy it.”
For Taylor, fighting in London brings back positive memories: “Ever since I turned pro I’ve had the privilege of boxing in big stadiums and on big shows but each time, the occasion seems to be getting bigger and better.
“London has been very good to me in recent years with the Olympics, and I made my pro debut here, and now I have the opportunity to actually win my first pro title at the weekend as well. I can’t wait for it.”
She added: “I think women’s boxing is definitely on a high at the moment and I’m very lucky that there are so many great fights out there to be made in the future.
“I want to be involved in big, big fights that are going to interest the public, and there are definitely plenty of girls out there to make those fights happen so it’s an exciting time to be involved in the sport.”
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Boxing Katie Taylor Nina Meinke Wembley Way