As the 2026 National Elite Championships reach boiling point over this weekend, the defending women’s lightweight champion Kellie McLoughlin is relishing the ultimate test of her mettle when she takes on two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington.
Having hung up the gloves after the Paris 2024 Games, Harrington made the decision to come out of retirement in October.
And the 36-year-old hardly showed any indication of rustiness on her return to the national elite stage last weekend.
Harrington beat Tramore fighter Zara Breslin 5-0 in her semi-final to advance to a 60kg final where she will go in search of a 12th Irish title.
Another Kellie awaits on the other side of the ring in that decider on Saturday at the National Stadium.
McLoughlin won the title last year but is under no illusion about the scale of the challenge she faces against the most illustrious of opponents.
“It’s a big tester for me, this year definitely, especially that Kellie’s back,” the St Catherine’s BC fighter told RTÉ Sport.
McLoughlin, right, defeated Belfast’s Ella McDonald (left) in her own semi-final
“It will be interesting to see. It’s going to test my levels to see where I’m at with boxing. I’m looking forward to it.
“I just have to give it my all now. That’s the main thing for me is to just not get the better of myself, don’t get in my own head and just give it my all.”
McLoughlin added that enjoyment and self-belief would be the best pre-fight combo.
“I just kind of realised myself that it’s all about having fun,” she said.
“I was thinking, ‘If I lose, I lose’… But then I was thinking to myself, ‘What if I win?’ I eat, sleep, breathe boxing.
“That’s my main thing. I’m very quiet as well as a person. I’m kind of like a silent assassin if that makes sense.”
Saturday’s slate of finals will be preceded by a night of semis tonight.