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Katie Taylor to make professional debut at Wembley on Nov. 26

Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Katie Taylor, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, will make her professional debut at Wembley Arena on Nov. 26.

The Irishwoman competed at two Olympics and after the surprise of not earning a medal at Rio in August has decided to enter the paid ranks.

Taylor, 30, from Bray, is also due to box at the Manchester Arena on Dec. 10 when Briton Anthony Joshua is due to defend his IBF world heavyweight title for a second time, expected to be against American Eric Molina.

As well as her Olympic success, Taylor also won five world titles and six European titles in a 13-year amateur career.

"When I first dreamt of Olympic gold, female boxing was practically unknown," said Taylor, who lost to Finland's Mira Potkonen in the 60kg quarter-finals in Rio.

"Now because of my journey and the incredible supporters who came along with me, female boxing is as much part of the fabric of the Olympics as its male counterpart.

"Now I want to do the same for the professional sport and I hope those who have supported me along the way will come along with me. I'm excited for the road ahead."

Taylor is a huge star in her native Ireland and her move to professional boxing could be followed by others.

"I met Katie for the first time last week and was fascinated by her desire to not just win world titles but to break down the barriers of women's boxing, she is an incredible role model," said promoter Eddie Hearn.

Taylor follows American Claressa Shields into professional boxing. Shields became the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic gold medals when the 21-year-old from Flint won the middleweight tournament in Rio. She is due to make her pro debut on the undercard of the Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward show at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 19.

British flyweight Nicola Adams, another gold medal winner at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, is also considering turning professional.