If you ask any boxing fan or even a casual watcher of the sport, you'll rarely find someone who does not know who Katie Taylor is. The undisputed lightweight champion’s unique journey to the top of the boxing world has made her an inspiration to many.
The Irish superstar main evented New York’s Madison Square Garden against Amanda Serrano in April 2022 – the first time women headlined the historic arena. The hope is that it isn’t a one-time occurrence, and she has a simple message for young girls everywhere.
“If you want to headline MSG, you can do that,” Taylor said via Irish Mirror. If you want to win an Olympic gold medal, you can do that. If you want to become a champion, you can absolutely do that, there are no limitations."
The atmosphere in New York, with Irish green dominating the streets, was quite a scene. Even now, she has an army behind her as she takes on Chantelle Cameron for the status of undisputed super lightweight champion on May 20. Taylor fights inside the 3Arena in Dublin, the first time she's competing as a pro in her home country.
WATCH: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron, live on DAZN
During fight week, Taylor has had people mob her, with the treatment akin to that of The Beatles in the 1960s. While it may seem like an unorthodox comparison, that is how Taylor's perceived in the eyes of many. She even spars with young girls... or potential world champions of the future.
Katie Taylor invites a young girl to the ring during her media workout session 🫶
— Sporting News Fights (@sn_fights) May 17, 2023
🎥: @MatchroomBoxing | #TaylorCameron
pic.twitter.com/weZZBVCL4k
Where does the admiration for Katie Taylor come from?
“The Bray Bomber” was an association football player but knew that boxing was her passion. She got into the sport in 1998 when she was just 12 – during a time when women’s boxing had stars but wasn’t as well-perceived as it is today, Taylor joined boxing gyms and competitions disguised as a boy named K. Taylor. There was an uproar when revealed she was a girl.
Taylor never gave up, and she eventually competed in the first the sanctioned women's boxing fight in Ireland. It was the start of firsts for Taylor, who became the first Irish world champion when she won the 60 kg final in the 2006 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships. It was a taste of what was to come, as she became the first women’s lightweight champion at the 2012 Olympics.
MORE: Who are the reigning women's undisputed boxing champions?
From there, she sent an Instagram DM to Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn to give her a shot. Hearn was skeptical at first but decided to provide Taylor with an opportunity. The two haven’t looked back, as Taylor has beaten the likes of Jessica McCaskill, Eva Wahlstrom, Rose Volante, Delfine Persoon, Natasha Jonas, and Serrano.
how it started how it’s going pic.twitter.com/xdmauupMMr
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 8, 2020
“You talk about the greatest of all time, yes there is being the greatest inside the ropes, but it’s also how you carry yourself, how you inspire generations, the paths you tread so now others can follow,” Hearn told Irish Boxing. “This is the greatest female fighter of all time, not just that she is one of the greatest female athletes of all time, and she is such a wonderful person.
"I’m the King of the Katie Taylor fan club. I think she is amazing, and it’s been one of the best things we’ve ever done. All the b------- you come across in boxing, when I’m around her, she makes everything worthwhile.”
MORE: Katie Taylor fight reignites debate on two or three minute rounds
Taylor returns home and hopes for a fight inside Croke Park, competing in a rematch with Serrano. She does have a chance to become a two-division champion if she beats Cameron. The pressure is on, but that has always been the case for Taylor. Her calm demeanor and the performances she has put on are the stuff of legend.
All eyes are on Taylor inside the 3Arena. If she wins, Ireland may hold a huge party that could last for months. Even if she loses, her determination to get to where she is, leading one of the biggest events of the year, will still be praised.
The Taylor fan club continues to welcome new members. Like Taylor, there is no limit to how far it can grow.
