Katie Taylor says she was the proudest person in the world to see Kellie Harrington win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics - but she wouldn't be drawn on speculation of a potential fight with the Dubliner.
Harrington defeated Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira in the lightweight final earlier this month to win the same gold medal that Taylor won at the London Games in 2012.
The win has opened a number of doors to Harrington, who will make a decision in the coming months about turning professional or staying as an amateur.
A change to rules since Taylor fought in the amateur ranks means that Harrington could still fight at the 2024 Olympics in Paris if she turns professional.
Speaking ahead of her fight with America's Jennifer Han this weekend, Taylor said of Harrington's success: "I was obviously the proudest person in the world watching all the Irish athletes compete and perform. To see that victory was absolutely phenomenal. It was such a great performance.
"Just the honour of fighting for your country in the Olympic Games, there's nothing better really than bringing so much pride and honour to your country. It is something very, very special.
"I was glued to the whole Olympic Games throughout and just to see her compete and perform at the highest level, and to perform so well as well, was absolutely incredible."
Taylor was also delighted to see the impact Harrington's win had on the community in Dublin's north inner city.
She said: "Kellie's success over the last few years has been absolutely phenomenal for the kids in Dublin's inner city. What she's actually doing for those kids, inspiring that generation, is very, very special.
"Just seeing the excitement of the people, the young girls growing up watching Kellie win that gold medal, you have no idea what that's actually going to do for the kids in that area.
"It was such an amazing win and a fabulous performance and inspiring that generation, especially in the inner city, is absolutely incredible."
Taylor has often spoken of her legacy and how important it is to her to inspire the next generation and she was delighted to see Harrington follow in her footsteps.
She explained: "This is what it's all about. Me getting involved in this sport and competing at the Olympic Games and bringing back that gold medal was to inspire the next generation and I feel like the girls competing - the likes of Kellie, Michaela Walsh and Aoife O'Rourke - those girls are part of my legacy as well.
"This is what I'm in this sport for to inspire those girls to go on and achieve more than I've ever done. I think that's what true legacy is all about."
When asked about possibly fighting Harrington in the future, Taylor added: "If she decides to go pro I guess we can talk about that, but for the time being I have my own opponents to focus on."
Taylor is back in the ring against Han ahead of Josh Warrington's rematch with Mauricio Lara in Leeds this weekend in what is her first fight since taking her pro record to 18-0 with a victory over Natasha Jonas in May.
Han is undefeated since 2014, but has not fought since February 2020 after giving birth to her second child just six months ago.
And Taylor is expecting a tough fight against the 38-year-old American at Headingley Stadium.
She commented: "I've seen a few clips of her. I know that she's technically very good. She has a good, nice, solid amateur background as well.
"She's quite tactical so I think she's going to bring her best game on Saturday night. That's usually the case when they step into the ring against myself. I'm expecting a very, very tough fight.
"She has a great record as well. She has earned her place as the number one challenger for the IBF belt so she's here to take all my belts, but I'm obviously here to take all my belts home with me as well."
- The fight will be shown live on DAZN, which you can subscribe to for €7.99 a month here.
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