Katie Taylor is a 39-year-old Irish pro boxer and former footballer. The Bray Bomber as she was sometimes called started amateur boxing at the age of 12 under her father’s tutelage and went on to become a two-weight world champion and current undisputed lightweight champion after she went pro in November 2016. Besides boxing, she played football and represented the Republic of Ireland women’s national team at the youth and senior levels before hanging her boots in 2009.
Taylor won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics after championing the push for female boxers to be allowed to compete in one of the sport’s prestigious tournaments.
Compelling Facts About Katie Taylor
1. She Is The Youngest Of Her Parent’s 4 Children
Katie Taylor was born on July 2, 1986, in Bray, County Wicklow, south of Dublin. The 39-year-old is the last of four children born to an Irish mother, Bridget, and an English-born father, Pete Taylor. Her three older siblings include her sister Sarah Taylor, and two brothers; Lee Taylor and Peter Taylor.
She attended St. Killian’s Community School in Bray, and upon graduation, she gained admission into the University College Dublin, but later quit to concentrate on her sports career.
2. Taylor Started Amateur Boxing At 12 And Won Her First Gold Medal At 19
In 1998 when she was 12, the Olympic gold medalist started boxing. She and her two older brothers were coached by her father at St Fergal’s Boxing Club in Bray. Three years later at 15, she won her first officially sanctioned fight in Irelan when defeated Alanna Audley from Belfast.
At 19, she won her first gold medal at the 2005 European Amateur Championship in Tønsberg, Norway.
3. Katie Taylor Played For The Youth And Senior Irish Women’s National Football Teams
Besides boxing, the Olympic gold medalist played football at the professional level, featuring the under-17, 19, and the senior Republic of Ireland women’s national football teams. She played at 14 for the under-17 and at 15 for the under-19 and by 20, she was called to the senior team, where she made 11 appearances and scored 2 goals.
After representing the senior national team for three years, she retired in 2009.
4. The Irish Boxer Pushed For The Inclusion Of Women Boxing In The Olympics
Katie Taylor was at the forefront of championing the inclusion of female boxing in the 2012 London Olympics. She first started by convincing the Irish boxing authorities to allow female bouts and the International Olympic Committee. Moreover, she partook in exhibition fights before IOC officials in the US and Russia, and persuaded them that women should be allowed to fight in London.
Finally, women’s boxing was allowed at the 2012 Londo Olympics, and Taylor didn’t only represent her country but also won a gold medal in the lightweight division, defeating Natasha Jonas, Mavzuna Chorieva, and Sofya Ochigava.
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5. She Turned Pro In 2016
Four years after her gold medal win at the London Olympics, Taylor went pro and made her debut in November 2016. The following year, she picked the WBA lightweight title when she defeated Anahi Ester Sanchez through a unanimous decision (UD) victory. Thus that night, the Irish boxer won the first title of her career.
6. Her Father Was Wounded In A Bray Boxing Club Shooting Incidence In 2018
On June 5, 2018, the boxer’s father, Pete Taylor, and two others; Bobby Messett and Ian Britton were shot by a man in the Bray Boxing Club. Her father and Britton survived, while his friend Messett was killed.
Two persons were arrested in connection with the shooting; Gerard Cervi and another woman who was later released without charge. The former pleaded not guilty when charged with the murder of Bobby Messett and the attempted murder of Taylor’s father and Ian Britton.
7. Is She Married?
The Bray-born pro boxer is not yet married. She is more focused on her boxing career than anything that will lead to a relationship. In past, she has joked about turning marriage proposals from possible suitors who want to spend their lives with her.
A practical example is that of a man named Kenneth Quillinan who flew to Jeju in South Korea to watch her semi-final and final at the World Championships in 2015 and to also propose. Though he didn’t a positive answer, she allowed him to take a picture with her flowers and the gold medal she won at the competition.
8. What Is Her Nat Worth?
Katie Taylor’s net worth is above a million dollars. The bulk of her fortune comes from her boxing career and endorsement deals. A few years back, celebritynetworth.com reported that she is $250,000 rich, but what she made from her recent fight could have been responsible for the increase.
In April 2022, she earned $1 million (£860,000) from her fight with Amanda Serrano at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Additionally, she appeared in advertisements for Lucozade in 2011 and became a brand ambassador for Its4women.
9. She Is 5 Feet 5 Inches Tall
Standing at 5 feet 5 inches (165cm/1.65m) tall, Katie Taylor is above the average height for women, which is 5 feet 3 inches. On the other hand, her bodyweight is 61kg (134lbs).
10. A Look At Her Career Accolades
The Irish pro boxer has been recognized on several occasions for her exploits, some of which include;
- Under-19 Women International Player of the year (2004)
- People of the Year Awards for Sportsperson of the year (2012)
- RTE Sports Person of the Year (2012, 2020)
- Irish Book Awards (2012)
- The Irish Time/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year (2014)
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