After securing her second Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024, Kellie Harrington appeared to have ended her career on the highest possible note. She made it clear that she was stepping away from the sport, signing off with the words:
“It’s the last hurrah. I’m done. I always said I’d retire a champion… goodnight Irene.”
And that seemed to be that—another Irish sporting icon calling time on an incredible journey.
But is she really done? Or is there still one more chapter left to write?
Over the past few months, the idea of a Kellie Harrington boxing return has gathered momentum. And now, there’s a real chance we could see her step into the ring once again.
Back in Training—What’s Changed?
Despite her retirement statement, Harrington returned to training in December 2024 and was named in the Irish Athletic Boxing Association’s (IABA) new High-Performance Senior Squad. That alone suggests she’s not ready to walk away completely.
And then there’s the IBA Women’s World Championships, set to take place in Belgrade this March. With a $200,000 prize for gold medal winners, it’s not hard to see why the competition could be tempting.
According to Irish Boxing, the tournament is expected to attract the best female fighters in the world, and Harrington’s potential participation would be one of the biggest storylines heading into the event.
Could this be a one-off tournament for Harrington? A final shot at another world title before leaving for good? Or is she gearing up for something bigger?
What Has Harrington Said?
While she hasn’t made any official announcement, her recent comments hint that she hasn’t closed the door on boxing completely. When asked about the possibility of stepping back into the ring, she gave a cryptic response:
“If I wanted to, possibly I could do something again. I’m not saying it again, but something again. Who knows?”
Not exactly a firm no, is it?
Her return would be huge news for Irish boxing, especially with Paris 2024 still fresh in people’s minds. If she does compete again, it won’t just be about the prize money—it will be about cementing her legacy as one of the greatest fighters Ireland has ever produced.
As reported by Boxing Scene, many retired champions struggle with the decision to walk away for good, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Harrington felt she had unfinished business in the sport.
A Comeback Worth Watching?
At 34 years old, Harrington still has the skill, experience, and sharp boxing IQ to be a serious contender. If she enters the IBA Women’s World Championships, she’ll instantly be one of the favourites to win gold.
But the big question remains: is this really a comeback, or just one final challenge?
We’ve seen other fighters retire and return before, and it always comes down to the same thing—the love of the sport. If Harrington is stepping back into the ring, it’s because she believes she still has something left to give.
Irish-Boxing.com suggests that if she performs well in Belgrade, it could open the door for future opportunities—perhaps even another Olympic run.
What Do You Think?
Would you like to see Kellie Harrington return to the ring? Do you think she should go for one last world championship, or is it better to walk away as a champion?
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