In the days leading up to her history-making win over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden back in April, the boxing news feeds were filled with stories of Katie Taylor's uphill struggles to earn the right to put on a pair of boxing gloves, let alone retain the undisputed championship of the world at the 'Mecca' of combat sports.
Taylor's promoter Eddie Hearn told the story multiple times that week, of how 'Kay' Taylor entered all-male youth boxing tournaments, having to keep her actual gender under wraps just to receive an opportunity. Now, the Irish superstar heads up most women's pound-for-pound rankings, in addition to being one of the driving forces of there being a women's P4P in the first place.
In this exclusive interview with DAZN, published today on the 10th anniversary of UNICEF'S International Day of the Girl, Taylor goes into all-new detail with a first-hand account of growing up in a sport dominated by men, "changing the game" for herself and many other women, the biggest influences in her life and more.
Q: How would you describe being a young girl growing up participating in a male dominated sport?
Katie Taylor: There are definitely a lot of challenges. The first time I walked into a boxing gym, wow, when I was I was 10 years of age. I was the only girl in there and I was in my zone. I didn't know any other female fighters around.
So, I was just constantly training with the boys and they were gone off to different competitions. They're coming back with medals and trophies and being rewarded for their hard work. But, I didn't have any competitions to go to. Which is why I had to pretend to be a boy just to get a few fights and to get a bit of experience.
At that age, I just didn't understand why it was unusual for girls to be involved in boxing. This is my passion. This is this is my love, and nobody was going to get in my way in pursuing something that I absolutely love.
Q: How did your mother's role in your life helped to empower you when you were a little girl?
KT: I think for most people, your parents are always your biggest influence in your life. They’re always your biggest supporters. My mother was definitely the biggest encourager in my life.
I actually remember specifically having a conversation with her. When I was probably around 13, and 14 years of age, she told me that I had the potential to change the face of women’s boxing and then just have that conversation with her. These are conversations I was having on a usual basis with my mother and made me believe I was going to do great things in the sport.
I think it's so important to have people around you who are gonna pull out the greatness in you. My mother is definitely someone who called out the greatness in me. She's seen the goals in me and lessons in me. And because of that, I grew up believing that nothing was impossible.
Q: As a young girl, could you envision yourself as a professional boxer, or did that feel like an impossible dream solely due to your gender?
KT: I don't think I have really dreamt of becoming a professional boxer when I was at that age to be honest. I had the dream of becoming an Olympic champion at such a young age, and ever since I stepped into the gym as a 10 or 11 year old, that wanting that was on my mind was to win this Olympic gold medal. This was before women's boxing is even included in the Olympic Games. So good thing, it was actually created. That didn't even exist. It was a crazy, impossible dream.
But I was very, very lucky to be in a household where I was completely encouraged and supported. They just really believed in me and they really enforced the idea that nothing is too big. If I put my head down, if I work hard, and if I acknowledged God along the way, then nothing is too big.
Because of that, I really believed God was going to open up the right doors for me. Then I just quietly went to bed trying to be the best boxer I could be. Along the years God was opened the right doors. That came from just a belief from my family of support and encouragement. It's so important to have such amazing support from that group of people around you.
Q: How have you seen girls’ involvement in sports change in your years as professional female athlete?
KT: I think the perception of women's sports has definitely changed over the years, which is fantastic. Right now, we're seeing female sports stars as the biggest household names in the in the world of sport, which is amazing that these young girls have female role models local too. That's so important to have female role models that they're seeing you know.
Myself and Amanda Serrano, fighting in Madison Square Garden, headlining the shows. They're seeing the likes of Serena Williams making history. And these sorts of sports stars who are constantly making history, it's so important that these young girls have these role models to look up to.
Q: What message do you have to inspire young girls to develop and grow in sport?
KT: My message will be quite simple. First of all, it's so important to surround yourself with good people. Secondly, just work hard and make sure you don't have anybody out work you.
Every day isn't going to be a good day. You might have losses. You might have failures and disappointments, but don't give up. I think so many people give up too soon. During the losses, disappointments, and failures, that's where a character is built - that's where the growth happens.
I'm sitting here right now just as grateful for the failures in my life as I am for victories. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for those failures and disappointments, and I wouldn't be the best, I am today without them as well. So, you have to just embrace it and don't give up. You just need to work hard and continue to show up to the gym each and every day.
Q: International Day of the Girl draws attention to the challenges that continue to limit girls around the world from reaching their full potential. Why do you think a day like International Day of the Girl is so important?
KT: A day like today is so important because there shouldn't be any scenes or limitations on girls pursuing greatness in sport. I was so so grateful that I was brought up in a household where I was completely encouraged. I felt like there were no limitations. I think every young girl should grow. I say this with the mindset that nothing is impossible if you're willing to put the work in. There are no limitations. If you want to win an Olympic gold medal, you can do that. If you want to headline MSG, you can do it. If you want to become a champion, you can absolutely do that. There are no limitations. It’s so important for every single girl to know they are good enough and to believe in ourselves. Believe that nothing is impossible.
Q: What are you personally committed to in regard to helping girls including the next generation of girl boxers better reach their full potential?
KT: I think the best thing that I can do is just try to be the best version of myself and try to be a good example to these young girls. I think the most satisfying part for me is having an opportunity to inspire the next generation, and to have an impact on the next generation. I want these young girls growing up to surpass anything that I've ever done. And I think that's what real legacy is all about. I want to be there to inspire them. I want to have an impact on them. I want to encourage them and support them. And I really believe that next generation is going to do greater things than this generation has ever done. I'm just so excited to see the future female boxing and I think it's such an exciting time to be a part of this sport.
Q: Is there a 'girl change maker' today or in history that inspires you the most?
KT: For me there obviously has been so many female athletes who I've looked up to and who are big inspirations to me. I think from a personal standpoint, I've come from a strong line of some powerful women in my family. We were talking about my mother earlier on and she’s an amazing woman. My sister and my two sisters in law too, I've got three incredible young nieces growing up as well who are just outstanding people. We were talking about my mother - my mother wouldn't be the person that she is without her mother which is my grandmother.
My grandmother for me is probably the most amazing person you could ever meet. She just turned 90 years of age actually a few weeks ago but and she's just an incredible person. Not just for her academic ability or not or not for what people see as success, per se, but she just has an amazing heart. She's got such a generous heart, so pure and so kind and I grew up just wanting to be like her. And I think for me, if I was half the person she is, I'd be a very very happy person.
Our family would be different, and we wouldn’t be who we are if it wasn't for her. I just have a heart of gratitude for women like that in my family who I've always looked up to and I've always I've always admired.
DAZN
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL?
In 2022, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG).
In these last 10 years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential; made worse by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflict.
Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. Girls with disabilities face additional barriers to accessing support and services. COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and worn away important gains made over the last decade.
With adversity, however, comes resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity, and resilience. The world's 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can be the changemakers driving progress in their communities, building back stronger for all, including women, boys and men.
For more information, click here.