Boxing trainer Andy Lee believes that Carl Frampton and Katie Taylor could well go down in history as the greatest Irish fighters in the sport.
Lee was on the DAZN Boxing Show as he considered the choices, and he plumped straight for Frampton. The 34-year-old Irishman retired after a defeat to junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring earlier in the year.
“I agree with Carl, how do you beat him, or her?” he asked, before suggesting Taylor was just as much of a talent.
“And he wouldn't, you probably would have to give it to him. But right now. And I think it'll take a lot to be there. Katie Taylor, you know, regardless of gender, Katie Taylor, what she's done for the sport as an individual, in terms of females and young girls watching my daughter, you know, is asking about her all the time and a four year old daughter is his model.
“Okay, Taylor, and, you know, my wife, so it's not just boxing fans, that supporter, she's crossed. She's like a huge household name here in Ireland and the rest of the world and what she's achieved in the ring. I think it gives her the rightful place as the greatest Irish boxer of all time.”
Taylor and Frampton are no doubt all-time Irish greats, and as the current undisputed women's lightweight champion with a title defence set for Sept. 4 in Leeds, Taylor still has time to add more to her legacy.
However other names worth considering in such a debate would include 1990s super-middleweight champion Steve Collins, the legendary Barry McGuigan, elite old-timey era fighter Jack Dempsey and Irish-born welterweight great Jimmy McLarnin.
Who would be top of your list?