MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane showed off his softer side by telling a touching story about boxer Katie Taylor.
The former midfielder is renowned for being one of the most intimidating people in football.
Keane, 52, was feared on the pitch during his playing days for Man Utd and Ireland.
And the ex-United star has since become even more popular for his filter-free punditry.
However, he showed a rare softer side to himself when recalling an exchange with Irish boxer Taylor, 37.
Speaking to Eddie Hearn with Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: “I met Katie once, she came to an Ireland match.
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“I spoke to Katie after she got beat in the Olympics [in 2016] and I’d just seen an interview where she was really upset.
“I got in touch with her and just said: ‘listen, keep your spirits up.’
“And that was it. We kept in touch, the odd text here and there.
“But yeah she came to an Ireland match once and I met her. Amazing fighter and she’s certainly doing Ireland proud.”
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Former England Lioness Scott, 36, was left touched by the story as she simply responded: “Aww.”
Speaking about Taylor, Hearn revealed that she is Keane’s biggest fan.
The boxing promoter said: “She is one of the most fierce people inside and outside of the ring.
“She is your biggest fan, you are her absolute idol and hero. She is the most terrifying person I’ve ever met.”
Taylor is next in action when she rematches Chantelle Cameron, the only boxer to ever beat her as a professional, on November 25.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
