Katie Taylor Shares Her Favourite Serrano Moment — and It’s Not What You Think
For Katie Taylor, one of the most unforgettable moments from her landmark rivalry with Amanda Serrano has nothing to do with what happened in the ring, but the profound impact the fight had on the next generation of female boxers.
Inspiring young fighters is something the game-changing Irish sporting Icon has been doing since her amateur days, and one of boxing’s greatest ever has often said nothing makes her prouder than seeing a gym packed with aspiring female athletes.
So it’s typical that trailblazing Taylor found real joy from an incident that happened after her historic first Fight of the Year with the big-punching Puerto Rican.
The Bray native obviously cherished the win and enjoyed the fact she delivered such a fight in the first Madison Square Garden female headliner. However, equally as important to the 39-year-old was the impact it had on the next generation, meaning a young girl being inspired to take up the sport after watching the fight remains one of her favourite things about the first installment.
“One of my favourite moments after that fight was a father bringing a daughter into the gym because of myself and Amanda,” Taylor shared while speaking at Tuesday’s public work out. “Just hearing stories like that is so heartwarming. Having a chance to impact the next generation of female fighters.
“It’s amazing, I think even after the last fight, it inspired so many young girls to get involved in the sport.”
When Taylor began boxing at the age of 9 or 10, she was often the only female fighter she knew. Fast-forward to today, and Ireland’s boxing gyms are filled with women and females boxers are among our most decorated and successful sports stars.
“When I first started boxing, I was the only female fighter I really knew of. If you go home now, every single boxing gym in Ireland is full of female fighters.
“We have Olympic champions. Our women’s boxing teams are absolutely outstanding, it’s very strong.”
Taylor goes into another legacy fight this Friday when she rematches the ‘Real Deal’ for a second time in Madison Square Garden this Friday night. The bout will be broadcast live on Netflix.
