Who is boxer Katie Taylor?
KATIE Taylor is a five-time amateur world champion, olympic gold-medalist and currently undisputed in two weight classes in the professional game.
She’s putting her light-heavyweight belts on the line for a second time against Amanda Serrano on the undercard of Mike Tyson v Jake Paul on November 15, 2024.
Meet Katie Taylor
Katie Taylor is an Irish professional boxer and former football player.
She was born on July 2, 1986, in Bray, a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland, and turned 36 in 2022.
Katie first began boxing when she was just 12, and was trained by her father, Peter, who was also a boxer.
Peter also trained Katie’s two older brothers, Lee and Peter, and went on to coach Olympic boxer Adam Nolan.
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Katie attended University College Dublin but chose to leave her studies once her sporting career took off.
In 2001, she fought in the first officially sanctioned female boxing match in Ireland.
Katie won gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the first time women’s boxing had been included in the event.
Female footballer
A keen footballer, she represented the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team at under-17, under-19 and senior levels.
Katie made her final international appearance during the 2011 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
The Irish boxing star’s professional career started with a DM to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Signing for Matchroom
In 2016, she signed with the promoter’s Matchroom banner — within a year Katie was lightweight world champion.
Hearn told The Sun that he initially took a meeting with Katie out of respect but was soon blown away by the star.
He said: “There was no market for women’s boxing, there was no interest from broadcasters or fans. I just had the meeting out of respect for her.
“But it was during that meeting I just thought, ‘Wow, you’re amazing. I’d quite like to be part of this, we could be a hero with you in just completely changing the game.'”
Notable victories from Katie’s professional career include wins over Delfine Persoon, Amanda Serrano, Jennifer Han, Firuza Sharipova — and especially her comeback victory over Chantelle Cameron after losing their first fight convincingly.
Tasting defeat for the first time
Katie tasted defeat for the first time in May 2023 at the hands of Northampton’s Cameron after stepping up in wight.
Speaking after her loss, she said: “It’s not how I wanted my homecoming to go. I’m just so grateful for the support regardless.
“Congratulations to Chantelle on a fantastic performance, thanks so much for the opportunity to fight for your belts, and looking forward to the rematch.”
But just six months later, she landed two-weight undisputed glory with a bloody revenge victory.
Marriage and kids?
Katie keeps her personal life private, and has not spoken publicly abut being in a relationship or having a family.
She previously revealed how she doesn’t like being quizzed on her romantic life in interviews.
When asked which question she hates being asked, Katie told The Athletic: “Probably the question about relationships. That’s another question people always ask. I guess people are just interested in my personal life.
“I get it all the time. It’s a bit annoying at times but I’m just polite and get on with it. I don’t think male boxers get asked it, though.”
She also said in the past that she is too busy with her career to think about a relationship.
Speaking to The Irish Mirror in 2019 she said: “I’m not [seeing anyone] at the moment, I really genuinely haven’t got the time.
“I’m just out in America training hard at the moment but who knows what could happen in the future.”
Katie Taylor’s boxing record
Katie’s boxing record is 23-1-0.
This means she has won 23 of her professional boxing bouts, lost one and drawn none.
Her victories include six knockouts, giving her a KO percentage of 26.09%.