(NOV 11) Plans for Katie
Taylor’s next two bouts on home soil have now been completed and
as we previously reported she meets Europe’s no. 3 Finland’s
Mira Potkonen at the Ballywaltrim Community Centre in Bray on
November 30th
For the four times
World and current Olympic Champion, it will in fact be the
second bout in 24 hours as she is scheduled to meet current
joint United States no 3, Melissa Parker in the Long Room at the
Mansion House on 29th November.
Whilst it would be a major upset
if the American were to defeat the Bray woman, nonetheless
Parker is a formidable opponent as her record shows.
Since she began boxing competitively in 2004, the former United
States Marine Corps operator, has won the Women’s Regional
Golden Glove Tournament, the Women’s National Golden Glove
Tournament, the U.S. Elite National Championship three times,
the National POW Tournament and has been ranked number one in
the world albeit at 57kg..
“My passion for (boxing) is so
great that I refuse to lose,” she said. “When I train, I train
to do anything and everything. The way I can adapt to any kind
of boxer is my biggest strength. I can take anything. I can
fight going anywhere.”
In April of this year, Parker reached the semi-final of the 2013
U.S Nationals at Lightweight, going under to eventual champion
Queen Underwood in a tough semi-final battle.
U.S Boxing said of that fiercely fought bout: “Parker, a mother
of two, who had taken an extended hiatus from the sweet science,
kept the bout close as both she and Underwood looked to feel one
another out.”
“Underwood began to find her rhythm in the second round, finding
openings in Parker’s defense but both enjoyed momentum swings
through the middle two rounds. Parker came out aggressive in the
final round, looking to take control of the bout, but Underwood
wouldn’t be denied and the 2012 Olympian advanced on to the
finals with a unanimous decision.”
According to her ‘LinkedIn’ profile, Melissa enjoys ‘family time
and church’ as ‘she loves bible study and worship’, so has much
in common with Taylor. She also enjoys working out, always
looking for a challenge. She was very active in sports
throughout high school being on the softball and track team. She
started boxing in high school and continued in the military.
Melissa Odessa Parker was born and raised in New York City. Her
family moved to Connecticut where she completed high school and
joined the United States Marine Corps; serving four years active
duty. Melissa is married with two children. After getting out
the military in 2010, Melissa moved to North Carolina with her
husband who is currently a Warrant Officer is the United States
Marine Corps.
In 2005 she represented the United States competing in the
Women’s Worlds in Russia; placing fifth in the world. In 2006,
she was inducted into the Connecticut hall of fame for amateur
boxer of the year. While in the military, she trained and
represented the All Marine Boxing Team.
In 2009 she earned the Triple Crown Title by winning all three
major Boxing National Championships in the United States;
placing her number one in the country all four quarters of the
year. Indeed in 2009, she won every major tournament that she
entered.
So a tough challenge facing Taylor on 29th in the Mansion House.
2014 brings sees Taylor face several new challenges. There are
European Championships (venue still to be decided) and a fifth
defence of her World Crown in Canada later in the Year whilst
also ‘On The Road To Rio’ in 2015 she will have the opportunity
of becoming the first ever holder of the European Games 60kg
Gold (Europe’s answer to the Olympics) in Baku, Azerbaijan
After a quiet 2013 in which the only significant Women’s title
was the European Union Championships in Hungary where she came
out on Top of the Podium for a record fifth successive time,
Taylor is training hard ahead of her November fights.
“Katie is preparing for what will be two tough meetings against
Melissa and Mira in Dublin and Bray,” said her Coach and Dad,
Peter.
“They are both experienced opponents and both fights will be big
tests.
“Katie is building up toward her European and World Title
defences next year and the two upcoming fights are part of her
preparations for what will be a big year.”
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