100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Athletes

Katie Taylor, Ireland

Boxing

One of the world’s most influential female sports stars, Taylor is emerging as boxing’s finest talent. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist has made a superb transition to the paid ranks following a glittering amateur career in which she won five World Championships, six European Championships and five European Union Championships. Since turning professional, the supremely gifted Irish boxer is unbeaten through 12 fights, capturing the WBA and IBF lightweight title en route in typical frenetic fashion. And Taylor is set for a huge 2019. Undisputed glory is well within the Bray native’s sights and on March 15, the 32-year-old faces Brazil’s WBO belt holder Rose Volante, a challenging clash which could see take another step toward realising her dream. The jewel of the Emerald Isle, Taylor has been credited with raising the profile of women’s boxing worldwide and is one of Ireland’s most treasured exports.

– An award-winning film about the life of Taylor was released late last year in which she is billed as ‘Ireland’s real-life Million Dollar Baby’.

– Taylor is considered a pioneer when it comes to female fighter’s pay and under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, claims to be the highest paid female boxer.

– She is a devout Christian and reads Psalm 18 and her other favorite verses from the Bible before every fight.

Did you know…

Away from her exploits in the ring, the 32-year-old also holds 11 caps for the Irish women’s football team – having made her debut as 20-year-old back in 2006.

“I want to go down in the history books as one of the greatest female boxers of all time, and I think I’m on the right path.” – Katie Taylor (Source: RTE)

Twitter: @KatieTaylor

Instagram: katie_t86