Katie Taylor Part One: Trendsetter
Katie Taylor Not many boxers, if any, get to leave boxing on their own terms the way Katie Taylor did in front of 83,000 fans at Dublin’s Croke Park, when she outpointed France's Flora Pili 98-91, and two cards of 100-90 to win the vacant WBC lightweight title and retire as a three-time undisputed champion. It was an emotional and historic night, a far cry from her ten-year-old self, who had to dress up as a boy to compete in a boxing match. Born on 2nd July 1986 to parents Peter and Bridget, Katie was the youngest of siblings Sarah, Lee and Peter. They grew up in a tight-knit family in a small house in the working-class area of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. The community at the time faced socioeconomic challenges which included a heroin epidemic during the late 1980s and 1990s. Despite this, her parents encouraged their children to get heavily involved in sports, which sheltered them from trouble and established a deep love for athletics. Taylor excelled in a wide ran...