Ahead of his world title fight with Eric Molina in Manchester this weekend, IBF heabyweight champion Anthony Joshua has given his views on fellow 2012 Olympian Katie Taylor, who recently joined him as a professional in Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable.
The Irish icon fights on Joshua's undercard at Manchester Arena on Saturday, and speaking to IFL TV, Joshua waxed lyrical about the talents and status of the all-conquering Bray woman:
I would have gone done and watched her [debut] but because I'm in camp and that I was just chilling out. When I met Katie Taylor...[sighs]
Look at her. Look at her personality, how she handles herself. Look at what she has done in the ring since the amateurs. It's unbelievable.
...What she is about to do as a pro. You can just see the angels of the boxing arena shining their light down on her. As cheesy as that may sound, she is phenomenal.
She is one of the women that will take women's boxing to the next level. I give all credit to her and I wish her all the success that she deserves.
She's a big asset to boxing. She's a massive asset to this show. And it's a real honour to be top of that, as well, with some of these fighters.
Both are former Olympic gold medallists, and Taylor will doubtless be aiming to replicate Joshua's success in the pro ranks, beginning with the next step on her professional journey this Saturday on Sky Sports Box Office.
