KATIE Taylor had her first amateur bout aged 15, taking on Belfast fighter Alanna Nihell, then known as Alanna Audley. The fight was the first women's fight sanctioned by the Irish boxing authorities. Fighting in front of a maximum capacity crowd of 2,000 people the pair received a standing ovation, little did they know that they had changed Irish boxing forever.
Katie went on to fight all over the world through a staggering 189 fights as an amateur. Representing Ireland at two Olympic games she claimed the highest award, the gold medal in London’s 2012 games in the light-weight division. She also won the lightweight gold medal at five consecutive Women World Championships between 2006-2014.
Katie turned pro, signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom in 2016. Going into her last fight as a professional she was already a two-weight undisputed world champion having held all four titles at lightweight and later, super lightweight. On Saturday just three miles from that first amateur bout in South Dublin’s National Boxing Stadium, Katie Taylor fought in her last fight as a professional boxer in front of 83,000 fans in North Dublin’s Croke Park. The cathedral of Irish identity, culture and history, a fitting stage for Ireland’s most decorated sports star.
Taylor last fought in the capital three years ago in a win over England’s Chantelle Cameron in the 3Arena. Since then after coming through two tough fights away from home in Texas and New York, bringing her professional record to 25-1 and turning 40 in July, the time has come and the stage was set for Katie to have one last dance.
Credit to Eddie Hearn and the team at Matchroom for making the Croke Park dream a reality. Boxing continues to be a business of relentless hurdles and complexity. As with sport, promotion requires hard work, luck and persistence. To get two professional athletes into a ring, who both believe they can win, be happy with the location and the money is a difficult task. Hearn pulled it off for Katie and her fans. He seems to genuinely care for this fighters and was regularly emotional in the lead up during fight week.
The build-up was largely uneventful, neither fighter said much by way of aggressive or provocative language. Katie Taylor fans would have expected this. Trash talk is a tactical advantage utilised by those who are either scared or inclined to panic under pressure. At most the best in the battle of words might gain a slight edge before the first bell rings. It may add to the spectacle for the casual fan. Katie simply doesn’t have to engage in this. She has always let her boxing do the talking and knows that to not be rattled by mere words and empty threats is the ultimate display of self-belief.
This might even go right back to when she first climbed into a boxing ring. At only nine-years-old she went to St Ferghal’s boxing gym in Bray where her father was a coach. Through tucking her long hair into her headguard she disguised herself as a boy as this was the only way that she was going to be allowed to fight in tournaments. Talking too much would likely have given her away and made her unable to fight.
Let's not ignore the fact that Katie Taylor is 40-years-old. In my opinion she is most likened to Roger Federer, who played professional tennis until 41. He too is widely acknowledged to be the best ever by fans and fellow players, past and present. Both go about their business with a style and grace that is unmatched, both are the ultimate professionals in victory and rare defeat. But swinging hooks aren’t forehands.
Taylor took on Flora Pili of France who has a decent 12-0 record who last fought in December last year. Make no mistake this is a massive step up in class for Pili but also a huge opportunity to announce herself on the world stage.
Taylor dominated the fight from start to finish securing a unanimous decision from the judges to claim the vacant WBC title and in doing so becoming a three-weight undisputed world champion. With great movement and superior hand speed Katie never looked troubled by Pili. Katie always leaves everything in the ring, prepared to win by skill but ready to win by will. At the end of the tenth she launched one last attack, one last brutal combination to sign off in style. With Pili backed up against the ropes waiting for the bell Katie knew she had given everything and that victory was hers.
Setting her gloves in the middle of the ring Katie confirmed her retirement. Draped in the Irish flag she celebrated with friends, family, coaches and promoters. An emotional scene and fitting end to an unbelievable career.
Saint Patrick allegedly chased the snakes from Ireland. Katie Taylor brought the world’s best boxers here and sent them all back home; helping to rid Ireland of sporting and gender inequality and pave the way for new generations of young girls. This transcends boxing and is bigger than sport, this is showing kids that anything is possible and if you want something enough you can not only achieve own dreams, but exceed them.
