Queen Underwood wants to go out on a high with Taylor win

Former Pan American champion Queen Underwood believes that meeting the Olympic champion in Ireland is the honourable way to end her amateur career.

The American faces Katie Taylor in her last fight in the amateur code before turning pro on a Tralee BC hosted show at the Mount Brandon Hotel in Kerry on Saturday night.

“For me to end my career in Ireland with a true champion is a honour,” said the London 2012 Olympian who arrived in Ireland last night.

A day before the Tralee clash, Taylor meets Serbian Jelina Jelic in her first outing of 2016 on a 15-bout Kanturk BC card at the Macroom GAA Complex in Cork.

Underwood almost shocked Taylor at the 2010 World Championships in Barbados, with Taylor coming for behind from behind to edge a 18-16 decision.

The Wicklow lightweight went on to claim her third World title in the Caribbean, while Understood recalls the four-rounder with a smile.

“I don’t look back at that fight, because that fight was then and this is now,” added the Seattle fighter.

“A lot for me has changed in the last six years. I feel everything happens for a reason. But it does still bring a smile to my face when people mention it (Barbados) because it was a good one.”

The Munster double-header is part of Taylor’s build up toward April’s Olympic qualifiers in Turkey, while Underwood is no longer the American first choice lightweight.

Former Irish head coach Billy Walsh, now head coach with the USA, will likely name Mikaela Mayer as his lightweight for the Americas Olympic qualifiers in Buenos Aires next month.

“This weekend will not dictate my amateur career,” insisted Underwood. “I’ve been fighting for a long time and came across numerous obstacles.

“I found victory and defeat, but above all I’ve given my best.”