It’s not a fair world. Some have too much yet others have too little. Some must strive and others find things easy. Yes the ills of the world can all be neatly expressed in one Katie Taylor. She has everything, the bitch: more soccer talent in her little finger than I think I do when I’m shouting from the couch; she can kick anyone’s ass from here to Sri Lanka and back; she’s articulate and passionate about sport; she has no ego and she’s gorgeous. She is the Western world to most people’s Haiti. Yet it’s impossible not to like her with that down-to-earth ‘what do you mean I’m famous ya big eejit’ attitude of hers.

Katie from Bray, Co Wicklow started boxing in 1998 when she was just 12. For some people, having a girl in the family who wanted to box might have seemed odd but she comes from a family with a boxing background – her coach at the St Fergal’s Boxing Club in Bray is her dad, Peter, who was 1986 Irish senior light heavyweight champion.

Three years later, at just 15, Katie was in the first ever officially sanctioned female boxing match. She won of course. In 2005, she made history again (prepare to read that phrase a lot) by being the first Irish woman to win gold at the Senior European Championships, and defended her title in 2006.  that same year, she went to India and became the AIBA World Champion.

I am absolutely thrilled with the win. I came out here to win a medal and it is a dream come true for me. It has been a great week and I am very proud to have represented my country at these championships.

In 2007, Katie took part in a bout which was seen as an advertisement for women’s boxing. The fight took place before the Men’s World Championships Final and was between the best in Europe (guess who) and the three-time Pan-American champion Katie Dunn of Canada. Our Katie won in the first round on the mercy rule (15-0). Women’s boxing is a huge industry in the states but the best facilities available to the top fighters; but here comes this Irish bird and she creams the best of the best. That’s how good she is.

The same year she defended her European title, following it with the Women’s International Tournament in Russia as well as holding on to her World Champion title. In 2008 she was named the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Female Boxer of the Year.

Back in March,2009, Katie won a 27-3 win over thee-time Pan American champion Caroline Barry of the US at the O2, on the undercard of Bernard Dunne’s world title fight. Speaking after the fight Katie said :

I couldn’t believe the reception I got – it was an amazing experience for me.

Feel the love Katie.

On April 2009 and she won the prestigious Ahmet Comert Cup in Istanbul and was voted best female boxer and best boxer (male or female) and in July she won gold medal at the Multi Nations tournament.

Now though, after the decision by the International Olympic Committee, Katie will finally be able to fulfil a dream  and represent Ireland in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Oh and she plays soccer for Ireland too.

Alainn, or just so talented that you’re bitter?

Popularity: 2% [?]

No related posts.