Katie Taylor plans more fights

Boxing icon Katie Taylor who has been undisputed lightweight champion, and unified super lightweight champion since 2023, is one of the Superstar Guests at the WBC Convention in Thailand.

A talented soccer player who played international soccer for Ireland, representing her country at both youth and senior level, Katie chose boxing, won an Olympic Gold Medal and then propelled herself into the professional boxing arena and a glittering career.

Katie said: “I started boxing as a ten years old. Boxing has always been a real passion, but soccer was also a big part of my life as well. Boxing just took over and it was a very easy decision. I played soccer up to twenty one years of age and after that started focusing on the boxing to prepare for the Olympic Games. I was getting up before school to train. There was a lot of sacrifice along the way, but it was worth it.

“I have been able to have an influence on amateur and professional boxing. It’s been such a privilege. I was invited to Chicago to box in front of the Olympic Committee to basically assess the sport, and a few days before the fight a member of the Olympic Committee came up to me and said your performance will determine whether women’s boxing will be included in the Olympic Games, so there was huge pressure, but everything went well.

“And here we are years later and I’ve been able to have a huge impact on pro boxing as well, and to inspire a generation.”

And such an important part of this was the trilogy against Amanda Serrano including topping the bill at Madison Square Garden. Katie says: “Yes absolutely. You need those kind of fights to raise the bar and the profile of women’s boxing.

“You need fights that capture the imagination of the fans. We were able to do that three times. Each and every one was a breathtaking fight and each was very different as well. One thing is for sure. We showed a lot of heart and a lot of grit and skills which made them so special.”

When asked about what’s next, Katie quips: “It’s definitely not going to be Amanda Serrano (laughs), but there’s definitely a few more fights left in me.”

And post ring career? Katie says: “I would love to have some sort of impact on the sport. Maybe it’s in coaching or management. I’ve committed my whole life to boxing. It would be very strange not to have some part to play once I retire.”

And will there be greater parity of pay for women’s boxing? Katie says: “I think myself and Amanda have done very well and made great ground there. Yet it’s still very small pay compared to male equivalents.

“But we are making great progress and I can be grateful for that. The one thing about the women fighters, is that we don’t mind taking risks and it will be amazing for those women to get financial rewards for this.”