Katie Taylor has gone from being a small town girl from Bray to a global superstar on an international stage in a matter of weeks. And while the glory has earned her a few marriage proposals, it certainly hasn’t gone to her head.
In reality Katie is smiley, petite and unassuming. In fact she seems like a completely different person to the disciplined, strong and confident woman who beat Russia’s Sofya Ochigava 10-8 to win gold at the London Olympics earlier this year.
Like the rest of the nation, the moment she was crowned champion and had the medal placed around her neck is something she will never forget: “It’s just a dream come true. I was like, is this really happening, and then hearing Amhrán na bhFiann. It’s so special to hear your national anthem at any competition but it’s extra special during the Olympic games.
“With the gold medal and seeing the flag going up, it was just the proudest moment of my life and I never heard Amhrán na bhFiann sung so loudly before in all my life. I think, to be honest with you, it was incredible on the day.”
GOLD: The moment Katie, and the rest of Ireland, had been waiting for.
The Irish support, which was particularly prominent around the boxing ring during the summer, was something that helped the 26-year-old: “In the three matches over there, the atmosphere was just incredible. They were calling the ExCel Arena the Katie stadium by the end of the week because the crowd was so loud over there. The support was just incredible. It lifts you and everyone that fights… They were singing and waving Irish flags everywhere. It was like the Irish have arrived!
“I dreamed about it my whole life but it definitely did surpass all my dreams. I didn’t expect the support to be so amazing and just how it all happened: coming back from one point down and I didn’t know what way the score went near the end. When the decision was announced the crowd erupted. To be sitting here as an Olympic champion is just a privilege. I can’t believe it really.”
But even with the overwhelming support, Katie explains that she was still nervous stepping up for her final match: “I was very nervous. It’s the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life. The most nervous I’ve been for any fight. I was very nervous for all my fights during the Olympic Games because it was such a huge occasion for me. Getting to the Olympic final was something that I dreamed of. I was four rounds away from being an Olympic champion or not.
“I just didn’t want to let anyone down. I just didn’t want to disappoint anyone and I did feel the pressure during the fight and during the whole day. I just couldn’t even seem to relax. I couldn’t even eat before the fight. I just had a knot in my stomach all day.” And she wasn’t the only one. The entire Irish population were biting their nails and holding their breaths for the final ruling at the end of the fourth round.
“The last round was kind of 50/50,” says Katie before adding: “I knew I’d caught her with a couple of blows and she caught me with a couple. I just hoped the judges scored that right. It just depends on the judges to score the fight correctly. At the end of the fight I think my dad was quite confident I’d won the fight and then there was such a big delay between the final bell and the decision. I got a bit nervous and I was like what’s happening here? Thankfully I got the right result.”
Katie in action against Russia’s Sofya Ochigava in London.
Everything in Katie’s life had led up to this moment and while she had only dreamt of it until then, it was what she had always wanted to do: “I was such a sporty child. I was involved in five or six different sports when I was 10 or 11. I did Gaelic, Camogie, athletics and everything, but boxing was always the one sport. My dad was involved in it and my two brothers were involved so it was a real family thing. Boxing was always on the TV so I grew up watching it all the time. It was in the blood I think.”
Talking of family, the softly-spoken 26-year-old says that while there are times she wants to tell her dad to go away, she wouldn’t be where she is were it not for him: “I wouldn’t be here without him. We have such a great relationship as well. Obviously we have little arguments here and there just like any other father-daughter relationship. We’re not perfect at the end of the day but we do get on really well and nobody puts in as much as work as him.”
Along with her father, there is another presence in her life who Katie says is with her every step of the way, her faith: “It’s definitely the most important part of my life and a huge part of my preparation before a fight. I always read the same verses and listen to the same songs before my fights. I really do feel the presence of God when I’m boxing and I wouldn’t really have the confidence or strength to get into the ring if God weren’t by my side.”
Her father (left) and coach getting her ready for the Olympic final.
And what strength she has demonstrated over the years especially at the beginning of her career. When she first started boxing at the age of 10, the sport wasn’t even officially recognised in Ireland. It was only when she was 15 that she landed her first fight. But the sports star admits that it’s different now and better for those coming behind her: “We did have to fight and battle for a few things. Now for the next generation, they have everything there so it’s brilliant for them. It’s brilliant for the sport.”
She adds: “It is an amazing sport even for the discipline part of things. The sacrifices you have to make to be a boxer are incredible. It is a very tough sport to be involved in but it is one of the best sports to be involved in and one of the most exciting sports to be involved in. I would encourage anyone to get involved.”
But as with anybody who makes it to the top of their profession, we are sure there is something that she misses. Reluctantly, Katie admits she does have a weakness: “There’s nothing more exciting than living the life of your dreams but I suppose having to cut down all the foods. I’m a bit chocoholic you see.” Just like ourselves then!
“And then just not being able to see my friends,” she continues: “Training is always so intense so I don’t really get to see my friends. Things like that are quite hard but those are the sacrifices I have to make and I don’t regret making them.”
While we suggested that her next step be to retire and stock up on Dairy Milk, Katie has already started training again and is determined to continue on with what she loves: “I would love to stay amateur and defend my title in four years’ time but I have to see about contracts. I’ve been offered a few nice professional contracts but I love amateur boxing and boxing for my country. I’d love to do it again for another few years if I get the opportunity.”
Whatever she decides, chocolate or the boxing ring, we have no doubt that Katie will have the full support of the nation behind her.
Katie and Mark with their Sky Sports News mentors Rachel and Sean.
Sky Sports Scholars Katie Taylor and Mark Rohan visit Dublin together with their mentors and Sky Sports News presenters Rachel Wyse and Sean Fletcher.
