“Every girl wants to be like her”: How a boxing champion inspired a generation

Katie Taylor’s final fight is being built as both a sporting farewell and a national event. At 40, the Irish champion is preparing to enter the ring at Dublin’s Croke Park before 80,000 spectators, with her super-lightweight titles on the line.

Taylor helped open the way for women’s boxing in Ireland. She began training as a child with her father, even though women were not allowed to box in Ireland or Britain. She and her father helped lift the Irish ban in 2001. Taylor went on to win Olympic gold in 2012 and become one of the most prominent figures in women’s boxing.

“

It is the end of an era, isn’t it?

“It is the end of an era, isn’t it?” said Trevor McMahon, Taylor’s brother-in-law and the founder of the gym where she trains. He described the farewell as an extraordinary evening, but also a sad one, saying that what Taylor achieved might never be repeated.

“

It will be an extraordinary evening, but also a little sad. Everything she has done might never be achieved again.

Croke Park, described as a temple of Irish sport, last hosted a boxing match in 1972, when Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis. Taylor’s farewell is expected to draw an even more special response. Tickets sold out in 17 minutes, and the event will feature performances by Westlife and other artists. RTÉ will broadcast the fight against Flora Pili for free.

Fans in Taylor’s hometown have been buying flags, caps and posters. One woman said the occasion would be extraordinary for Taylor, Ireland and women because girls now want to become boxers or athletes. Denise, a 71-year-old fan buying flags for a pub in Kerry, praised Taylor for staying grounded and remaining close to her old friends. Pili, 29, has won all 12 of her professional fights and holds the IBO super-lightweight world title.

“

What I love about Katie is that she does not think she is above everyone else. She is down to earth and still meets her friends from here. She is extraordinary with children.