Katie Taylor is one of the most successful amateur boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves. The former amateur world champion and Olympic champion was practically unbeatable for a ten year stretch between 2005 and 2015, winning numerous gold medals in the 60kg category in the European and World amateur championships as well as winning Olympic gold in London in 2012.
Taylor, now 30, was eliminated from the Rio Games this summer by Finnish boxer Mira Potkonen in the quarter finals in one of many contentious decisions which took place in Brazil last summer. Taylor also lost in her quest for a sixth consecutive world title when she was defeated by Estelle Mossely in the AIBA World Boxing Championships semi-finals and now that she is no longer considered world amateur or Olympic champion, reports emerging today are suggesting that she has finally had her head swayed by the professional game.
It was reported in today’s Sun that Taylor could make her professional bow as soon as next month, with a date in London’s Wembley Stadium said to be on the cards. Eddie Hearn, who has been hoping to promote Taylor since she won gold in London 2012, is promoting the card but it is unclear at present whether she will sign with Hearn’s Matchroom stable on a long or short-term basis.
Taylor has repotedly considered professional boxing in the past. Speaking to The Sun in Brazil after her Olympic journey ended, Taylor said: “I definitely feel like I have a few years in me and I’d love to give it a go. I’d love to box for a world professional title. I won’t be waiting around too long for a world title if I do go pro.
“We need a few bigger names from the amateur game to turn over, just to generate a bit of interest in the women’s professional game.”
It is likely that Taylor will compete in one of the Super Featherweight, Lightweight or Super Lightweight divisions if she stays at her amateur weight. Interestingly, Holly Holm boxed professionally at just 3kg above that weight.
Taylor’s Irish teammates Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan have already inked deals to go professional with the latter set to make his pro debut in the main event of a card in Madison Square Garden next March.
