Katie Taylor - AIBA World Female Boxer of the Year

mjon3105

by Mike O'Neill


Ireland's 3 times World Champion, 4 times European Champion, 3 times European Union Champion , Katie Taylor will be presented with the AIBA World female boxer of the year award for the second time running next month. Her 2010 award comes soon after her win in Barbados where she beat Queen Underwood in that never to be forgotten semi final, 18-16 and then had a magnificent 18-5 win over Chend Dong of China to retain the title she first won in India in 2006 and then retained in Ningbo City 2 years later.

AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu today confirmed that the Bray woman would be presented with the award at the AIBA Awards Ceremony in Almaty, Kazakhstan on November 2nd.

The November 2nd Award Ceremony takes place immediately after the AIBA Congress. There was no AIBA World female boxer of the year award in 2009.

The win against Dong in Barbados was her 100th victory from 106 bouts since 2001.
IABA President Tommy Murphy said that Taylor was an inspiration to Ireland's up and coming boxers and a fantastic ambassador for Irish sport throughout the world.

He said: "What Katie has achieved over the last number of years has been absolutely astonishing and we are delighted and very proud that she is receiving this award from AIBA in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sport.

"Katie is a fantastic ambassador for Irish amateur boxing and for Irish sport. Her achievements speak for themselves and all involved with amateur boxing in this country are immensely proud of her achievements."

Rob113

When you read what she has won in such a short space of time you really are awestruck. She is an incredible athlete and an inspiration to every Irish person.

Is there any money in the pro game for women. Someone of her talent deserves to be a multi-millionaire. Imagine the hype there would be if there was a male boxer who had dominated the amateur game like she has.

I hope Katie gets all the rewards her talent deserves.

mjon3105

Rob:

I entirely agree though I have to say that there is not much money in women's pro boxing at this time nor in foreseeable future. There is a modest amount available in Germany and most of it in USA but even there the purses are pretty poor by men's standards.

That apart though like overwhelming majority of Irish fans I am convinced that Taylor is one of Ireland's greatest ever athletes I remain unconvinced that she is suited to pro boxing which is totally different in so many ways from the amateur game.Whenever I have heard the Taylors' answer media queries re 'turning pro' I do not believe that they are convinced either.

Here are their thoughts on that subject when answering questions from RTE listeners:

"RTE : Do you plan to turn professional after the Olympics?

KT: I don't know really. I think professional boxing is maybe something I'd like to do to at some stage in my career. But I can't really answer that at this stage in my career. I think at some stage I'd like to give it a go, but I don't think my family are too keen on me turning pro either.

RTE: Why is that, Pete?

PT: I just think what professional boxing is.I think if Darren Sutherland had stayed amateur he'd still be with us today. I think professional boxing is a cut throat business. The only people making money are the promoters. I just find you're a piece of meat. You are a product for them and they use you. We advise Katie, but we'll do whatever she wants. If she decides to turn pro after the Olympics, she'll have 100% support. It's going to be Katie's decision."



IF she does turn pro I suspect it will be for no more than a year or so.
If one looks at the purely financial side of things "IF - and it is a huge IF - she becomes Olympic champion in 2012 then there is likely to be more money available to her outside of the ring than in it from commercial promotions and from media sources.

The American Holly Holm is the outstanding female pro boxer at this time - you can see all about her and view videos of the women's pro boxing scene on the Women's Boxing Archive Network www.wban.org and I think after viewing some of them you will see why I think that Taylor should - and at the end of the day WILL - remain an amateur AND be better off financially and happier personally. I am sure other 'boards.ie' readers will differ though ... what do YOU think?

walshb

I know very little of the pro game, its talent pool etc, but something tells me that the game just isn't all that suited to Katie. She's a beautiful technical and balanced fighter, but I just get the feeling that the real rugged and rough and strong stuff that is in the pros would not be suited to Katie.
Now, I know she could train and change for this, but I think she is what she is
and the change may not do all that much. So, for three, for and five rds she could be lethal, but after this I wouldn't be confident.

mathepac

mjon3105 wrote: »

... I am convinced that Taylor is one of Ireland's greatest ever athletes ...

As an unashamed fan and admirer of her achievements, I'd go a step further and say she is our greatest ever and it'll take a superwoman (or man) to match never mind exceed her achievements.

mjon3105 wrote: »

... I remain unconvinced that she is suited to pro boxing which is totally different in so many ways from the amateur game ...

I agree 100%. Katie is a superb amateur boxer and has the "score but don't get hit" routine down to a tee. While I acknowledge that she can be a damaging puncher, her real strength is her brain in mastering the requirements of amateur boxing.

mjon3105 wrote: »

...Whenever I have heard the Taylors' answer media queries re 'turning pro' I do not believe that they are convinced either. ...

Again, I concur and in a way I'm glad and hope she can make her living in some sport-related career other than as a paid pugilist.

mjon3105

I entirely agree Bren. One has only to take a look at some of the videos of other fighters in her weight division on wban.org to see that she is NOT really suited to the Pro game. IF she decides to "give it a whirl" I'd expect her to quit after 2 or 3 fights max. She no longer needs to fight as a PRO since following her achievements todate she is much in demand and if she does win the Olympic Gold then her earnings would most likely well exceed anything she could get as a Pro (very poor purses for women boxers now and in foreseeable future).

She already gets highest available funding from Irish Sports Council @ 40,000 euros annually (renewable) and recent sponsorship by Digicell/Denis O'Brien is said to be "substantial". Winning the Olympic Gold would open many more doors "to vastly increase her earnings "and additionally the way that A.I.B.A is going it is highly likely that there will be a "Womens Series of Boxing" by 2012/13 at which time the word "amateur" will likely disappear anyway.

It would NOT surprise me if Katie decides to remain in the sport for a few years yet.Probably the most revealing article about her is that in "Red Bull" which is well worth a read in full if you have not already read it. Read what she says about her life outside of boxing and what Pete says.

Whilst in his comment to RTE quoted in my previous post he says that whatever she does will be Katie's decision fact is that they are always "united" and as well as being a brilliant coach he is a very very astute businessman and decision maker,and I believe it is most unlikely that there would be any agreement to follow the "pro route".Of course they will (sensibly) keep their options open.Much more likely to stay "as now" , gain more titles, greater rewards in and out of the ring, act as a "media" consultant then become a Coach/Manager herself some years down the line.

Here is a link to the Red Bull article of November 2009 by Andreas Tzortzis

http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Download/Red-Bulletin-November-09-021242786906659

walshb wrote: »

I know very little of the pro game, its talent pool etc, but something tells me that the game just isn't all that suited to Katie. She's a beautiful technical and balanced fighter, but I just get the feeling that the real rugged and rough and strong stuff that is in the pros would not be suited to Katie.
Now, I know she could train and change for this, but I think she is what she is
and the change may not do all that much. So, for three, for and five rds she could be lethal, but after this I wouldn't be confident.

mjon3105

I share your views . There is nothing to be gained by her turning Pro. Great athlete, great role model for all Irish sports stars and if she wins Olympic Gold potential earnings out of the ring will be much greater than she could earn as a pro ......and it could not happen to a nicer person...

mathepac wrote: »

As an unashamed fan and admirer of her achievements, I'd go a step further and say she is our greatest ever and it'll take a superwoman (or man) to match never mind exceed her achievements.
I agree 100%. Katie is a superb amateur boxer and has the "score but don't get hit" routine down to a tee. While I acknowledge that she can be a damaging puncher, her real strength is her brain in mastering the requirements of amateur boxing.
Again, I concur and in a way I'm glad and hope she can make her living in some sport-related career other than as a paid pugilist.

thesandeman

I dont normally visit this forum but as a big boxing fan I have to agree with most of the above. Katie will be the toast of Ireland after the Olympics imo and will never need to go pro. Its quite likely she will get less publicity if she goes pro due to TV rights etc. She loves what she is doing and I hope she sticks with it. Roll on 2012. Thats all ;-)

maxxie

if katie taylors reads this pm me your number thanks

mjon3105

In her usual modest style , Ireland’s Katie Taylor, accepted her second successive AIBA World Female Boxer of the Year award, from newly re-elected AIBA President Dr Ching –Kuo Wu, at the organisation’s annual congress in Almaty, Kazakhstan, preferring to concentrate on the inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympic Games than on her own achievements.


The 24 years old, European and European Union champion, from Bray, had won the previous award in Moscow two years ago. Addressing the several hundred delegates in Almaty (which for Katie was probably a bigger ordeal than anything she has faced in the ring!), Ms Taylor commented that she accepted the award on behalf of all the people who worked so hard behind the scenes to make women’s boxing an Olympic sport (in London 2012).


“I would like to thank AIBA for this award. It’s a huge honour to receive this award above all the great female boxers in the world” , she said.
“I’m so happy that women’s boxing is included in the London Olympics and I would like to collect this award on behalf of everyone who made that happen. In London 2012 we are going to show the world what women’s boxing can do.”


The male boxer of the year award went to the 25-year-old Artur Beterbiev from Magnitogorsk in the Russian Federation – the reigning World and European Champion.


For photo of her receiving the award see

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/11/03/boxing-katie-taylor-receives-2010-female-boxer-of-year-award/

mjon3105

'''' in addition to that AIBA World award she has also been awarded a coveted Texaco Sportstar award (Boxing) in this years honours list according to this "Irish Independent" article.... (plenty more awards one imagines will follow before year end).

"Boxing : Katie Taylor
By any standards, Taylor (24) is a remarkable sportswoman. A soccer international with over 40 caps, she decided that she would have to concentrate on just one sport if she was to achieve the heights she aspired to in the boxing ring.
In 2005, the girl from Bray -- trained by her father, Peter -- first revealed her class when winning the European lightweight title. A year later, she took the world title and retained that crown in 2008.
Three months ago in Barbados, Katie completed a hat-trick of world titles when outclassing Cheng Dong 18-5 in the final. But as her semi-final drew to a conclusion, there was a distinct possibility that she would not make the final. From leading 10-2 at the end of the second round, she appeared to be on the brink of elimination as American Queen Underwood produced a magnificent response of heavy hitting in the final minutes to level the scoring.
But Taylor responded magnificently, hammering home the final two points of the contest to pave the way for the 100th success of her career in the final.
She was then voted best fighter in the world by her colleagues and peers on the night, reflecting her pre-eminent position in the sport. "


http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/2010-texaco-sportstars-of-the-year-2405104.html?start=2

mjon3105

latest news of irish competitors from the Multi Nations in Pazardjik tonight:

By Michael O’Neill

Katie Taylor defeated Liverpool southpaw Natasha Jonas on a 6-3 score line in Pazardjik and thus advances to Saturday evening’s final where she meets Bulgarian champion Denitza Eliseeva . Not the first time that these two have clashed – indeed the local was lucky to gain a 1-0 verdict against Sweden’s Helena Falk on Friday afternoon. There have been some very odd results here this week, and all in favour of local competitors. Taylor has defeated Eliseeva on previous occasions that the two have met in major championships.

Against Jonas, Taylor had to be near her very best. Jonas is going to be a major threat if selected by Great Britain for London 2012. She is one of three possible contenders for the 60kg place in the GB team , the others being 19 years old Londoner Ruth Raper and Hartlepool’s Amanda Coulson, well known to Irish fight fans having boxed in Dublin, Cork and Dungarvan in recent years though yet to beat Taylor.

No luck in Friday’s semi-final for Drimnagh middleweight Sinead Kavanagh who was disqualified in her bout with the 25 years old Spanish titleholder Tamara Garcia. Ms Kavanagh was disqualified in the fourth round having received three public warnings for holding .

Taylor has won her last two European Union titles in finals against Eliseeva though she would do well on this occasion to gain the upper hand early on since Eliseeva has managed to win all three of her fights in Pazardjik this week 1-0. One of her opponents, the tough, normally uncomplaining Norwegian Ingrid Egner had this to say after their fight :

“After the first round the score was 0-0. It’s hard to get points here with this scoring system so even though I knew I should have had some points I was calm and (coach) Martin instructed me just to keep on working like I did. In the second round I really worked it. It was a one-man show and I felt like I was working the bag. I landed a lot of good shots and she didn’t touch me. Came in to the corner and I said to Martin; this is fun. The score was still 0-0. I was thinking is this a joke?

In the third round I continued thinking I must soon get a single point (or are these East European judges blind)?. And then she got a point. Score after the 3rd round 1-0. I said to Martin “I’m losing. I cannot get any points”, he just smiled and said I should have been up with at least 15 points and he told me to punch from start to end in the fourth and last round. And so I did and she looked f* hurt. Anyway, I lost the match 1-0. I felt the whole thing was a joke so I raised my arm smiling, showing a V with my fingers and the crowd shared.

After the match she came up to me, like telling she’s sorry. It’s not her fault. In these situations you cannot blame the boxers. All in all I am happy I got two matches and a lot of things are falling into places with my boxing. Especially I did not get stressed and I continued working systematically even though I didn’t get points. Old me would have been stressed!”

Egner is a good competitor who rarely complains. I saw her compete well against Taylor at Alexandra Palace in the 2010 Haringey Cup where she won the judge’s verdict in one of the four rounds. The Scandinavian boxers have felt very hard done by in Pazardjik but of course we have seen many other strange decisions in Eastern Europe in recent years. Team Taylor though will be well aware of the dangers and will seek to lead from start to finish.

JonathanAnon

She lost 5-1 to a Bulgarian today.. Her father is hopping mad though, says she should have won by 20 points...

Controversial defeat for Taylor in final

http://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2011/0219/taylork_.html

omerin

Talking on Newstalk about it now, apparently the ref held her hand up, the announcer informed all that Katie had won and her opponent came into the dressing room after the fight and apologised! You couldn't make it up.

califano

At least she gave up watching boxing for lent so she wont be able to see the replay for some time!

mjon3105

This alas is NOT untypical of what has been happening in some of the former Eastern European countries in past couple of years. For Taylor this '' loss'' is of no real importance. It was a minor non-Championship event and a loss at this stage is arguiably a good thing for the Bray woman ... Too many wins before London 2020 only puts her under more pressure from Irish fans expectations... NO, It is the sport of boxing which suffers, and the Bulgarian fighters in particular are the big losers. Eliseeva is a genuine person - she already won her previous 2 fights here in controversial circumstances and apologised against Ingrid Egner. See my report (final paragraphs) of last night and have a glance at www.sportsnewsireland.com report on today's events in Pazardjik about 7.15 pm.... Today's 'controversial' decision will ' run' and run for several days more. If this were Horse Racing it would already have been subject of a stewards enquiry. It is time for the E U B C and A I B A to investigate what really is going on in some of these countries without neutral judges. The sports reputation is at stake..... but will E U B C and A I B A act???

Don't hold your breath!

JonathanAnon wrote: »

She lost 5-1 to a Bulgarian today.. Her father is hopping mad though, says she should have won by 20 points...

Controversial defeat for Taylor in final

http://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2011/0219/taylork_.html

walshb

And from reports it wasn't just Katie that was robbed blind here.
The Norwegian opponent that fought the Bulgarian in the fight
before Taylor's was also robbed. I just hope that the AIBA
investigate this thoroughly. I hope the IABA and the Norwegians
take it all the way.

mjon3105

You are right Bren... here is my last comment on that fight...Mike

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?boxing_irish=eliseeva-apologises-for-%e2%80%98defeating%e2%80%99-taylor

walshb

One good thing is that all the main papers have highlighted this
robbery. That can only be positive.....

makl

walshb wrote: »

One good thing is that all the main papers have highlighted this
robbery. That can only be positive.....

still valuable experience especially if she was to cross swords with a london girl in 2012 orsimilar situ later in her career