The Boxing History Blog

 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...

Hi Here is a free chapter from the book A Modern Day Rivalry, which is available on Kobo and Google Play. All the best fight fans Lea  Boxing Books are available on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Smash Words, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and most other digital stores:  https://linktr.ee/leroy_fight_writer Fury on Hold In July 2013 a press conference was held at London’s Park Plaza hotel to announce David Haye against Tyson Fury for 28th September at the Manchester Arena. This proved to be Fury’s first taste of a pay-per-view blockbuster and the two charismatic heavyweights did not disappoint in their war of words.  Fury was the first to arrive at the table, wearing sunglasses, a white linen shirt and trousers. He looked relaxed as he awaited the arrival of his opponent, decked in a tailored suit jacket, blue shirt and chinos. Fury stood up on Haye’s arrival and clapped, “A round of applause for Mr. Haye for turning up to the press conference people. Whoo, the chump is ...