“We’ve come a long long way. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Katie Taylor has shared a few words of wisdom for young female boxers, and other athletes who might be struggling to make their passion a reality.
The Bray boxer was crowned undisputed champion of the world over the weekend after emerging triumphant from her career defining fight at Madison Square Garden.
Upon her return to Dublin today, Taylor said that one of the greatest things about winning the fight was the number of young women she has inspired throughout her journey.
“We’ve come a long long way. It’s been an incredible journey,” she told RTE.
“I think the best part about this is seeing so many female boxers here today, and in every boxing club around the country.
“If you’re passionate about something, just go for it with all your heart. Don’t let anyone tell you can’t be something or can’t do something. Just go for it. Anything is possible when you’re willing to work hard.”
Taylor, who now boasts the WBC belt, as well as her WBA, IBF and WBO belts, said that last weekend’s win was “why I started boxing in the first place.”
She also added that she’s not too sure about the idea of a statue being erected in her honour.
“You’re only supposed to get a statue when you’re dead,” she laughed. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“But the support I’ve received from the whole country has been absolutely phenomenal over the last week and I’m so grateful for that.”
20×20 is an ambitious two-year long initiative to better promote and champion women in sport.
With the tagline of “if she can’t see it, she can’t be it,” the 20×20 movement has three targets to reach by 2020:
- 20 percent more media coverage of women in sport
- 20 percent more female participation
- 20 percent more attendance at women’s competitions and events
And at Maximum Media, we’re proud that Her and SportsJOE is backing the 20×20 movement as official digital media partners
