What age did Katie Taylor start fighting?

Katie Taylor is an Irish professional boxer who currently holds the undisputed lightweight champion. Born in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, on July 2, 1986, her father was a former Irish senior light heavyweight champion who later became her full-time boxing coach. Taylor's sister Sarah and brothers Lee and Peter, the latter a mathematics professor, complete the family. Katie's mother, Bridget, also is involved in the world of boxing, becoming one of Ireland's first female referees and judges.

Katie Taylor made her first walk to a professional boxing ring on November 26, 2016, achieving a TKO in the third round at London's Wembley Arena. In December 2018, Katie Taylor accused Delfine Persoon of rejecting a captivating offer for their bout. The two eventually agreed and signed a contract for a lightweight title unification fight in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden. The match was closely contested, with Persoon's relentless pressure causing Taylor difficulties. Controversy arose over Taylor's majority decision win, with some, including media outlets and boxers, feeling Persoon deserved to have her hand risen. Despite criticism from boxing fans and media, this win meant that Taylor became the very first undisputed female lightweight champion.

Katie Taylor's age when she started boxing

Katie Taylor started boxing at the age of 12, in 1998, under the coaching of her father at St Fergal's Boxing Club in Bray. Taylor’s older brothers, Lee and Peter, also trained there. Taylor's first officially sanctioned female boxing match in Ireland was at the National Stadium in 2001 when she was 15 years old. She defeated Alanna Audley from Belfast in that match.

Katie Taylor’s early life

Katie Taylor was born in Bray, County Wicklow, on July 2, 1986, to an Irish mother, Bridget, and an English-born father Pete Taylor. Her father was an Irish senior light heavyweight champion boxer and eventually became Katie's full-time boxing coach. Her mother also became a boxing referee and judge.

Katie has two older brothers, Lee and Peter, who were also coached by their father. She attended St. Kilian's Community School in Bray and played various sports, including association football, ladies' Gaelic football, and camogie. She was also a member of Bray Runners, an athletics club. Katie qualified for a sports scholarship program at University College Dublin but chose not to complete her studies as her sporting career began to take off.

Last Updated On November 15, 2024.