‘Not here for the fairytale’ – Flora Pili Wants to Ruin the Katie Taylor’s Happy Ending
Aaron Dunne Reports from the Helix
“Flora Pili and her team have no interest in the fairytale story of Katie Taylor. They’ve come to win – and these are very dangerous people”.
Such was the introduction to Katie Taylor’s would-be party pooper from promoter Eddie Hearn. His father would know best, of course – having worked with the French outfit for many years before Hearn Jr took the helm.
If there are any nerves in the Pili camp, they’re yet to be revealed. With her hair plaited and dyed in the colours of the French tricolour – nothing is more emotive than the French sense of honour.
And La Marseille will belt out in Croke Park on Saturday like it did once before on the last great historic ground breaking occasion on Jones Rd. Boxing, however, is not a foreign sport.
“We respect you, and we know you’re coming to change your life and take all these belts,” Hearn says as he introduces the challengers.
“IBO champion, European champion, outstanding amateur, big strong 140 pounder. This will be a real fight, and we’ll give you all the respect in the world.
“I’m excited for you as well, cos you will never be a part of anything quite like this as long as you live. I say that with respect, because nothing like this will ever happen again. I’d say that to Katie too.
“But the build up to this event, it’s been incredible. The true emotion of what this means to everybody.”
“I’m very proud to be here as well,” says challenger Flora Pili via translator, calm and composed as befits a 12-0 world champion. “Thank you for the welcome. I’ve been working hard for the last 3 months in camp… I think we’re all aware of the task ahead of us.
“We’ll have the people of France behind us, not just the few we will have in this enormous crowd, but everyone back home too.”
“It’s important Katie takes care of her emotions on Saturday,” chimed in Hearn. “But for you… is it nervousness or excitement? You’ve got nothing to lose.”
“As you say, I have nothing to lose and everything to win,” replies the ultra composed Frenchwoman. “I’m going to be giving 200% right from round one to the very end. And hopefully I’ll be able to take away all these fantastic belts.”
