The curtain fell on Saturday night on Irish sports hero Katie Taylor’s final fight, but it’s not the last we’ll be seeing of the global superstar.
Katie’s manager Brian Peters has now revealed that the inspirational boxing legend’s incredible life story is to be turned into a major movie.
Meath man Peters, who has been a shining light in Katie’s corner, never gave up on the Bray Bomber’s dream of ending her remarkable career on the hallowed turf of Croker in front of 80,000 fans.
And he said that although it’s early stages, there will be a Katie movie down the line as one of many projects the boxing icon has in the pipeline, including a stage show.
“The movie is always there and we have been in touch with Netflix and Disney and a good few, but until it advances a wee bit there’s nothing to talk about at the moment,” Brian said.
However, Taylor has been confirmed to tour Ireland next year with her own stage show directed by Andrew Flynn and produced by Peters.
Called HERstory: The Katie Taylor Story it’s part play and part ‘audience with’ as she will also be interviewed live on stage and Irish fans will get the chance to meet her at the theatres nationwide.
“Audiences will get a Katie Taylor show with an hour of a play based on her life and career, starting in 1986 and we’ll have the music from 1986,” Brian told the Sunday World. .
“And then in the second half Katie walks through the crowd, comes on stage with Steve Bunce (British TV sports pundit) and then we talk about it.
“It’s a bit like Jersey Boys with Frankie Valli playing a few tunes at the end of it when he comes on. I haven’t seen anybody else do what I have in mind.”
Taylor has already made her first venture into business as a co-creator of a new soda called Fizzique, which is in the shops and supermarkets and described as a “better-for-you alternative to traditional soft drink” as it has no sweeteners.
“What I’m trying to do is harness Katie’s tenacity and fortitude and put it into whatever business she’ll take on,” Brian added.
Saturday night’s entertainment at the historic Taylor v Flora Pili fight included Westlife who are set to create history of their own when they play 13 nights at Dublin’s 3Arena, starting on Thursday.
Throughout their own phenomenal career Westlife have also sold out shows at Croke Park six times.
However, Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan admitted that one of their biggest thrills was getting the opportunity to be a part of Taylor’s history-making event in Croker last night.
After their sound check early yesterday the boys posted photos striking boxing opponent poses on their stage in the stadium.
One photo captured Nicky and Shane squaring up to each other with Kian acting as the referee.
“We couldn’t be prouder to perform for her at Croke Park – a stadium that has also meant so much to us,” they said.
Westlife have publicly supported Taylor over the years with online comments and messages of congrats after her various victories and achievements. They also appeared alongside her on The Late Late Show in the past.
A quarter of a century after her first fight as an amateur – against Alanna Audley at the National Stadium in Dublin –Taylor, who is also an Olympic champion, left the boxing ring last night as one of the world’s greatest sports stars of all time.
Dance king Michael Flatley of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance fame was among the celebrities who attended last night’s emotional event and described Taylor as “the greatest ever.”