
Katie Taylor: 'Why stop now if I still feel good?'
Having narrowly won their first two encounters, the 39-year-old is due to come up against Serrano once again at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden on 11 July.
And although the Bray boxer acknowledges that she is towards the latter end of her illustrious career, Taylor told RTÉ 2fm's Game On that she feels far from jaded.
"I know that I'm definitely at the end of my career, I can't do this forever and I don't want to do this forever," she told Marie Crowe.
"But I feel good right now, I feel fresh and why stop now if I still feel good and fresh.
"And I still love my sport as well. I'm still not sick of the early mornings or the early morning runs or the sparring sessions.
"I love my sport and I think it's because of the love for my sport that I'm able to do this for so long as well.
"That's why I'm still in this position. I'm going to be 39 this month and I don't think when I started boxing I thought I was going to be still boxing at this age.
"But I just feel good and I feel great, and I don't think I'm slowing down."
However, she admitted that it can be difficult for her family to watch on as she pushes herself to the limit in a physically bruising sport like boxing.
"It's tough for them to see me all banged up and bruised after these fights when my eyes are out to here and my face is all bruised but I actually heal very quickly as well," she said.
"But I feel in a good spot right now. I'm not going to damage myself or keep going beyond what I can endure. I'm always going to be smart and I'm going to be smart and make the right decision at the right time."
Despite everything that Taylor has achieved professionally, and prior to that in becoming an Olympic champion and winning multiple world titles at amateur level, the one dream that has thus far got away has been the chance to fight at Croke Park. But she is sanguine about that situation.
"I don't know if that's every going to happen. I would love for it to happen but those things are out of my control," she said.
"It's a lot easier to fight at Madison Square Garden than it is to make the fight in Croke Park just because of all the complications there.
"I would love to have the chance to fight there but what can I do about that? I don't know if that's ever going to happen."
With the Serrano fight just over a month away, Taylor is making small tweaks to her approach which she is hopeful will reap dividends on 11 July.
"I think the little adjustments, like your sparring partners are always a bit different, you're always working on a few different conditioning things, the tactics are always a small bit different," she said.
"Those little differences make a huge difference and it's those little adjustments that make a training camp very exciting as well.
"I don't really get bored of it. I obviously wake up sometimes and I'm not in the mood for training but I realise I'm in a very, very privileged position as well and being part of another huge mega fight night and every single female fighter in the world wants to be in this position right now," she said.
"So I definitely don't take it for granted and I put the work in every single day because of that."
Last time, she and Serrano came face to face was in April during a particularly tempestuous press conference in which they traded barbs.
But it appears that there is no bad blood, at least from Taylor's point of view.
"I wouldn't have any contact with Amanda outside of the fights really but I have a lot of respect for her," she said.
"She's obviously a great fighter, a great athlete and she's a fantastic person as well so I have nothing bad I could say about her.
"We've been involved in some historic nights and I'm very grateful that I have Amanda Serrano to share these huge nights with.
"We've made history together and there's a lot of mutual respect there."
What is more of a focus for Taylor is the legacy that the trilogy will leave behind for women's boxing.
"I think it's amazing the sport is in a position where we can get an all-female card," she said.
"Not just an all-female card but a top quality all-female card and I think that for me is just amazing for the sport and I love the fact that I get a chance to make history again.
"The reason why I'm taking this fight with Amanda Serrano - I don't need this fight, I'm 2-0 against her but it's because of these big nights and because it's another historic night that I'm taking these fights.
"Imagine what this showcase is going to do again for the next generation of female fighters, it's huge, live on Netflix, it's a huge platform and it's an amazing position to be in."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chris Hoy's heartbreaking realisation about death after cancer diagnosis
Chris Hoy has expressed his gratitude for the chance to appreciate life following his cancer diagnosis. The Olympic cycling hero disclosed last year that he is battling incurable Stage 4 prostate cancer and was given a prognosis of two to four years. Since then, the 49 year old has handled his illness in an extraordinary manner, raising awareness to such an extent that nearly 5,000 additional men were referred for urological cancer in the six months after he spoke about his own diagnosis. However, there have been challenging times as well. Just weeks after Hoy's heartbreaking news, his wife Sara found out she had multiple sclerosis. Despite this, both are preparing for the six-time gold medalist's mass-participation charity ride, Tour de 4, in September. Hoy believes that even in the darkest situations, positives can emerge as he continues life with Sara and their four children. The opportunity to say goodbye has become a powerful reflection for the British icon. Former Scottish cyclist and journalist Richard Moore is a figure Hoy thinks about a lot. Moore died in his sleep in 2022, aged 48, leaving behind his wife Virginie and five-year-old son Maxime. Hoy delivered a eulogy for Moore, perhaps never imagining his own tragic news would arrive. But the cyclist has other contemporaries in mind now too in Scottish cycling coach Ivor Reid, track sprinter John Paul, who passed away suddenly aged 28, and former Scottish mountain bike champion Rab Wardell. "They didn't get the chance [to say goodbye to their loved ones]," said Hoy in an interview with the Telegraph. "And in some respects you think: 'That's the ideal way to do it, just keep living until the lights are switched off.' But for the people who are left "To be able to tell your loved ones what you feel about them, to appreciate what you've got, and yeah, for Richard, or for anybody who dies suddenly, to have 24 hours left on the planet, to be able to live that last day... you know, what would they have given for that? And therefore, for me, I think: 'Well, aren't I lucky?' Look at the privilege I've got, the time to really appreciate life." Sir Chris Hoy has spoken about his terminal cancer diagnosis (Image: 2013 Getty Images) Asked for the advice he would offer others as they go through difficult moments, Hoy suggested remaining in the moment is crucial. Fear of the future is one of the more difficult struggles to endure. He said: "I think when it gets tough, when it gets really tough, it's bringing yourself back to the exact moment you're in and recognising 'Can I keep going another 10 seconds? Can I deal with what I'm going through right now? I'm here, I'm breathing, my kids are next door sleeping, they're OK.' "It's the fear of the future that causes anxiety and stress for most people. So it's not allowing yourself to fast forward and try and predict what's going to happen because you never know." And Hoy is still exploring the possibility that stage four cancer will one day be treatable. The Scot's cancer is currently stable and he has visited Professor Dr Chris Evans, a specialist whose remit is focusing on creating cancer prevention and diagnostics solutions. Hoy admitted he is 'always looking at the new options coming out'. "When it [his treatment] stops being effective I will look to other treatments that are available, hopefully there are a few waiting in the wings," he said. Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed eith terminal cancer last year (Image: Getty Images)


The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ellen Walshe ‘surprised' by her impressive time on last day of World Aquatics Championships in Singapore
Team Ireland leader John Szaranek also spoke about some of the difficulties the team had to face during the Championships 'ELL OF A SWIM Ellen Walshe 'surprised' by her impressive time on last day of World Aquatics Championships in Singapore ELLEN Walshe admits she was 'surprised' with her efforts in the 400m individual medley — despite missing out on a place in the final. The Templeogue swimmer impressed at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore having reached two finals. Advertisement 2 The 23-year-old won a silver medal in the same event in 2021 2 The University of Tennessee swimmer was the first Irish athlete to win a medal higher than a bronze medal at a World Swimming Championships. But she could not make it three as she finished fifth in her heat. Walshe clocked 4:38.72 to come ninth overall in qualifying. Her time was just behind Britain's Freya Colbert, who made it through inside a time of 4:38.72 to squeeze in. And Walshe — a finalist in the 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke — said: 'I didn't expect it to be so fast. 'Even when I touched the wall, I was surprised at my time, never mind coming in fifth. Advertisement 'But I'll definitely take it on day eight. I've had many swims in my system. 'I said to the team before that I would be delighted if I was 4:41. I was surprised to see a 4:38 on the board. 'I've had a quite successful worlds and I've made two finals. "I'll take it. There's a lot of learning to take from it as well.' Advertisement Meanwhile, the men's 4x100m medley relay team of John Shortt, Eoin Corby, Jack Cassin and Evan Bailey clocked 3:37.56 in their heat to finish 21st overall. It was not enough to progress and Shortt — who had a time of 54.88 in the backstroke leg — said: 'The time wasn't particularly brilliant. 'End of an era for Irish racing' - Patrick Mullins on Thurles closure and future hopes for re-opening at Galway races 'But it's at the end of a long week, so it's not the worst time I've ever had.' Team Ireland finished up in Singapore with four final appearances and three national records being set. Advertisement Team leader John Szaranek was pleased with their efforts as they battled sickness and injury. Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen was one of those impacted as he suffered from appendicitis. Szaranek stressed: 'As the World Aquatics Championships 2025 come to a close in Singapore, Team Ireland can be proud of their achievements. 'Some of the athletes had to deal with injury, illness and disruption to their training. Advertisement 'The Irish athletes coped well with the circumstances and should be very proud of their performances across the meet. 'With four world finals and ten top-16 finishes, it gives the athletes great momentum going into next season.'


Irish Examiner
18 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Colin Sheridan: Time to call time on Israel's sports whitewash
The Olympic Charter speaks of peace, unity, and the sanctity of sport. Yet while Israel remains firmly in international arenas -- from the Olympic stage to football pitches -- its military campaign in Gaza has decimated the very sports of Palestine. Israel continues to compete as normal, while its army, society and institutions preside over what a genocide. The moral hypocrisy is stark. Since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Football Association reports that nearly 786–800 Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank, most in Gaza and 23 in the West Bank. That includes 437 footballers, plus coaches, scouts and administrators; hundreds hailed from youth and local clubs. Another source, the Palestinian Sports Media Association, notes 708 athletes, including 95 children. To put that in perspective: nearly the entire elite Palestinian sporting community has been wiped out. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month