Goodnight Irene – Kellie Harrington to ‘retire a champion’ after Olympic gold

Kellie Harrington has confirmed she will “retire a champion” after claiming her second successive Olympic gold medal.

The Irish boxer beat Wenlu Yang at Roland Garros in the women’s 60kg final.

Victory secured back-to-back wins for Harrington in the Games after defending her gold medal from Tokyo 2020 and she confirmed her retirement post-bout.

She told RTE: “It’s the last hurrah. I’m done. I always said I’d retire a champion, that’s it.

“Let me say it again: Bob’s your uncle, Fanny’s your auntie, goodnight Irene.”

Following a cagey start, Yang began to land more punches and looked to be in control, but Harrington regained her composure and landed a flurry of body shots before the bell went.

The Chinese fighter burst out of the blocks in the second round with a strong punch to the nose, but Harrington continued to cause damage with some heavy body shots.

A comfortable final round saw the Irishwoman land some quick jabs to wrap up her country’s fourth gold medal of the Games and she paid tribute to her family and friends.

“I didn’t think this was possible,” she said.

“Thanks to the coaches here and back home and (wife) Mandy , my brothers and my ma and da and close friends who kept me going even when I didn’t believe.

“And here I am. It’s a nice way to go out.”