Kaci Rock has come a long way since her dad Jim took her to the gym ran by Katie Taylor’s father Peter with the instruction to let the boys hit her a few digs to put her off boxing.
Jim is the only boxer to hold four Irish titles at different weights and Kaci is guaranteed a bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after breezing through her quarter-final bout.
“I remember being a young girl and going to see Katie Taylor in the Olympics,” the Holy Trinity fighter recalled.
“I was only 10 years old when I saw her in London and I just remember thinking, I really, really want this to be me one day. I think the Commonwealth Games is just a step below the Olympics so this is the closest thing to the that and being here and taking a medal home is unbelievable.
“It’s been such a long journey and it certainly hasn’t been plain sailing for me. There have been a lot of ups and downs. I’ve won Irish titles and I’ve been pipped at the post a couple of times in the elites. I have an elite title under my belt, but the ones that matter, my dad always says, you’re always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
“I always get to the very last hurdle and then I’m pipped at the post, but finally getting to Glasgow it’s been such a relief. Even the hard work and the training that I’ve put in, I’ve had no obstacles in my way coming up to this camp so my performances should show the hard work that I’ve put in.”
Rock had to wait until a week into the Games to make her debut.
“I was so glad to get my gear ready that morning. I’d been sitting here for a week – like over a week, eight days here and no fight yet,” said Rock.
“I’m going and watching my teammates and seeing them do so well and then seeing a couple of them lose, that hurts you too. You’ve seen the hard work they’ve put in, but finally getting in to do my thing was the best ever.
“It wasn’t my best performance, but the first one is always the toughest so I’m looking forward to getting better from here.”
Despite being harsh on herself Rock forced here opponent from Niue to take three standing eight counts and won convincingly 5-0 on the judge’s score cards.
“I honestly didn’t get out of first gear in that fight. I just couldn’t get it together, but I felt it from the warm-up,” said Rock.
“I wasn’t 100 per cent, my punches weren’t connecting as well as they usually should. I’ve a bigger, tougher challenge to come in the semi-finals against the girl from Scotland so I’ll have to level up, but I know now I’m capable of doing the three rounds.
“I know what the atmosphere is like there now. It was a little bit overwhelming coming out and seeing the smoke and the crowd and the music. I panicked a little bit, but I’m used to it now so the next one will be better.
“It probably would be the biggest stage I’ve ever fought on. I’ve been to the World Championships back in 2022, that was big enough. I was only 19, but coming here it’s a different level.”
