Michael Conlan has lavished praise on Katie Taylor for inspiring the next generation of Irish boxers.
Conlan and Taylor both won medals at the 2012 Olympics in London and were at the top of the amateur game before disappointment in Rio four years later prompted them to turn professional.
Belfast man Conlan is unbeaten in twelve professional bouts, while Taylor became a two-weight world champion this month after unifying the women's lightweight division.
And Conlan believes his old Ireland teammate's legacy is already evident in the rise of the likes of Kellie Harrington and Michaela Walsh who are gunning for medals at Tokyo 2020.
“Katie Taylor has inspired the next generation, which is now," Conlan told Sun Sport.
“She’s been inspiring this next generation of women’s boxers since she campaigned to get it into the Olympic Games.
“She’s done a fantastic job. You can even see how she’s still inspiring people in the professional game and you could see the turnout for her and the noise they made at the Manchester Arena.
“These fighters have all looked up to Katie and now they’re in the position where they have a chance to go and be great like Katie was. It’s unbelievable.
“I think they’re looking good. There’s some fighters there who still need development but it’s a young team and I think we can be surprised.
“Kurt Walker and Kellie Harrington seem like the two — and maybe Michaela Walsh — they’re the three world-beaters.
“They’re the ones who, in my opinion, will be favourites to medal in Tokyo but, as we all know, it’s not as simple as what it all looks.
“It’s a team that’s been rebuilt and is a team that could certainly go on to 2024 and be a powerhouse in amateur boxing.
“But with how things are going, a lot of them will probably turn professional.”
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