Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has helped to revolutionize women’s sports with her incredible achievements over the years.
Losing just once as a professional, 38-year-old Taylor has been able to defeat every opponent that she has shared the ring with.
Defeating the likes of Delfine Persoon, Chantelle Cameron, and Amanda Serrano in one of Eddie Hearn’s favorite fights, Taylor has been dominant since her debut in 2016.
The Olympic gold medalist truly changed women’s boxing forever with her incredible skill and talent, however, it was not an easy road to get to for Taylor.
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Katie Taylor had to evade huge rules to get her boxing career underway
Speaking to Ireland’s Late Late Show, Taylor revealed that her boxing journey was not as straightforward as her career is now.
When asked by the interviewer if rumors were true that Taylor used to compete as a boy in her amateur days, the Irish champion said they were.
Taylor would go on to say that experience sparring with other boys at the time helped her to ‘survive’ the amateur matches.
“On a rare occasion, I put the headgear on me, the hair was so thin, just to get a couple of fights with the boys,” Taylor said.
“We just had to do it to cover our backs with the officials.”
Despite the bizarreness of the situation, Taylor was thankful for the experience, believing it helped her later in her career. “I do look back on it and think, what an amazing training [back]ground that is.”
When asked if she won her fights while competing under a male alias, Taylor said with a smile, “Of course.”
After the fights, when Taylor took her headgear off, it became apparent that she was a girl. “There was uproar. All of the officials were going crazy.”
The bizarre rule break came from Taylor not being able to get fights as a female, as there was a lack of opportunities in the sport at the time.
Katie Taylor redeemed only career loss in home country
Taylor tasted professional defeat for the first time in 2023 when she took on Cameron in the 3 Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
However, her first professional fight in her home country was not to be a victorious one, as she lost a majority decision.
To try and amend her first loss, Taylor would rematch Cameron six months later in the same venue.
This time, it would be Talyor who emerged as the victor, winning a majority decision. However, controversy surrounded the bout as when the Irish fighter fell in the opening round, it was deemed a slip as opposed to a knockdown.
It is unclear if a trilogy bout is in the future of Taylor, who has also been involved in conversations for a rubber match with Serrano.