“I am not motivated by money” says Katie Taylor ahead of pro debut

On the eve of her pro debut, Katie Taylor claims it is the advancement of her sport rather than money which has compelled her to turn over.

The Bray boxer begins her career, starting off at super featherweight, against Polish journeywoman Karina Kopinska Wembley Arena tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

Taylor made a comfortable living during her time in the amateurs through grants and sponsorship, and stressed than fortune is not her reason for turning pro under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions.

The Wicklow woman said that “it’s important to be financially secure when I am finished fighting as it’s a short career, but I am not motivated by money. I made a good living in the amateurs and now it’s a new challenge and new goals and that’s what is exciting for me. I am going to where I am most passionate about my future and that’s in the pros.”

Instead it is helping the growth of women’s professional boxing which motivates Taylor. The 30 year old has a history in this area, having been one of the driving forces behind the inclusion of women’s boxing at the Olympics after she wowed AIBA chiefs during an exhibition bout at the 2007 Men’s World Championships in Chicago

Taylor admits that “I would love to do for pro boxing what I did for the amateurs. I think we need a few of the big names to turn over, like Claressa Shields did at the weekend in America. This is the platform that women’s boxing needs.”

“I’d like to do what the likes of Ronda Rousey has done in the UFC and become a big name in professional boxing and raise the profile of the sport. UFC take their female fighters very seriously and they claim equal billing to the men on the shows, that’s huge, and that’s why a lot of boxers are turning to UFC.”

“I’d love to win a World title, unify the belts and try to go up the weights and try to win belts at higher weights too.”