Katie Taylor turning pro

Joe_ Public

Eddie Hearn: "I don't know a lot about women's boxing."

At least Eddie is being honest. I'd like to have seen her go for another World title, taking on Kelly Harrington along the way, but fully supportive of her decision at the same time. I hope she does well and makes some money, though I don't believe she is financially motivated. I'm sure we'll hear lots about the state of women's pro boxing and how there's nothing for her there, but the flipside of that is that it is only through the involvement of the likes of Taylor and Clarissa Shields that the sport can start to broaden its appeal and I've no doubt she'll take it on to another level at the very least.

And not saying it would be a headline act or anything, but a Taylor v Ochigava world title fight in Dublin is one I'd be willing to shell out a few yo yos for.

walshb

I have no idea how she will do as I do not follow it. I do know that there are a fair few weights. Has Katie's weight been set yet? She was 60 kgs as an amateur, and I believe there is a 130 lbs weight and 135 lbs weight at pro? Could she drop a kg (2.2 lbs) to make 130 lbs? Brian Peters managing I hear..... Has Katie got what it takes to be a pro? For me she has the speed and feet, but there's a whole lot more needed in the pro game...

DEFTLEFTHAND

What kind of money is there in women's boxing?

I think she was receiving around €50-55,000 each year from the Sports Council as an amateur. Would it be possible to make the same amount per annum as a female pro?

Either way I think it's a brave move. I hope it goes well for her.

walshb

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

What kind of money is there in women's boxing?

I think she was receiving around €50-55,000 each year from the Sports Council as an amateur. Would it be possible to make the same amount per annum as a female pro?

Either way I think it's a brave move. I hope it goes well for her.

Who knows. But one thing is sure, she'll have a lot more outgoings now.

Her promotions firm is doing quite well...

Joe_ Public

pac_man wrote: »

Does anyone on here watch women's boxing? Maybe her transfer over might change some peoples attitudes and get people interested. It will be interesting to see how she changes styles as she the quintessential point scoring amateur style.

I think that's the point I was making about changing people's attitudes. It's easy to run down women's boxing, and some people will never take to it no matter what which is their prerogative, but it's only through attracting the likes of Taylor, Nicola Adams and Clarissa Shields that it's going to progress and capture people's imaginations.

I can see Taylor doing well, regardless of how she adapts her style, as I doubt the likely competition is that hot, although I'm only guessing as I have no clear idea. I don't see any reason for them to be hanging around, so a world title fight in Dublin within a year is a very likely possibility in my eyes.

DEFTLEFTHAND

I was just reading this evening that she could be in line to make €120,000 between her signing on fee with Matchroom and the tv money from her first fight.

So I guess there is a bit of money floating around. Fair play to her.

tayto lover

Just wondering if she's not a few years late turning pro? She's 30 now.

DEFTLEFTHAND

tayto lover wrote: »

Just wondering if she's not a few years late turning pro? She's 30 now.

Ah I'd say she'd have at least another 5 or 6 years in her.

I think Barnes is about 30 also and he's only gone pro too.

Joe_ Public

A superb athlete, never smoked or drank, no way age is going to be an issue. Christina McMahon is another Irish pro boxer and I believe she's in her 40s. For point of comparison, Eva Wahlstrom, whom Taylor beat several times as an amateur, is a reigning world champion in the 135 division, is 35 and has never fought outside her native Finland.

ted1

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

What kind of money is there in women's boxing?

I think she was receiving around €50-55,000 each year from the Sports Council as an amateur. Would it be possible to make the same amount per annum as a female pro?

Either way I think it's a brave move. I hope it goes well for her.

She'd made more than a million so far and 250k was last year.

http://m.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/boxing/katie-taylor-boxing-clever-with-12m-profits-34734397.html

She hasn't done bad as an amateur

Joe_ Public

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I was just reading this evening that she could be in line to make €120,000 between her signing on fee with Matchroom and the tv money from her first fight.

So I guess there is a bit of money floating around. Fair play to her.

Wonder how that figure breaks down between the signing-on fee and the takings from the fight. Either way, that seems like very decent money to me if the reports are accurate.

DEFTLEFTHAND

ted1 wrote: »

She'd made more than a million so far and 250k was last year.

http://m.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/boxing/katie-taylor-boxing-clever-with-12m-profits-34734397.html

She hasn't done bad as an amateur

Would that money be from endorsements etc?

I don't really understand how amateur boxing works in regards to money. I was assuming it was like golf or something where it is impossible to earn profit (deals to cover travel and living expenses are acceptable) and retain an amateur status.

mansize

No money in women's pro boxing.

Her less than stellar display in the olympics has reduced her marketability

And she's getting on.

Working in an ambassador role for an NGO/Sporting Org or something might have been a better move

ted1

mansize wrote: »

No money in women's pro boxing.

Her less than stellar display in the olympics has reduced her marketability

And she's getting on.

Working in an ambassador role for an NGO/Sporting Org or something might have been a better move

No money yet!!!!

There was no money in UFC before Conor Mc.
Although I can't see Katie drumming up the media like him, but she'll still boost their income

Joe_ Public

mansize wrote: »

No money in women's pro boxing.

Her less than stellar display in the olympics has reduced her marketability

And she's getting on.

Working in an ambassador role for an NGO/Sporting Org or something might have been a better move

I'm not sure I'd buy any of that to be honest. Sure, being a double Olympic champion would have helped but she's still a draw and there's arguably more potential there than with any female boxer since Laila Ali (imo).

I see two possible issues ahead for her: a lack of credible opposition or at least opponents to build a decent narrative around and the general public attitude towards women's boxing. Any repeat of those savage contests between Deirdre Gogarty and Christy Martin and the Liveline will be buzzing for a week.

As for the money, it's not her motivation, but there have already been some impressive figures being bandied around which seem half believable at least. Or to put it another way, if you were offering odds on who'll amass more career earnings, who would you make favourite - Katie Taylor or Paddy Barnes? I'd be edging towards Taylor myself.

Johner

mansize wrote: »

No money in women's pro boxing.

Her less than stellar display in the olympics has reduced her marketability

And she's getting on.

Working in an ambassador role for an NGO/Sporting Org or something might have been a better move

With Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields going pro I've no doubt that this will change. I for one am now interested in women's pro boxing and will be following both of them.

marbless

Best of luck to Katie - I hope she and her opponents stay safe and healthy.

With her first fight being televised on Sky Sports, I'll be interested to see the reaction to women's pro boxing, which is so different to the amateur code. Even in an age of equality, some people are likely to be concerned at the sight of two women - with no head-guards - fighting over a longer duration.

In Norway, where boxing was banned for over 30 years until recently, the female Prime Minister was criticised in some quarters for stepping into the ring a few weeks ago to congratulate Cecilia Braekhus on her TKO win over Anne-Sophie Mathis, whose face was bloodied. The critics felt it was wrong to celebrate an activity involving woman-on-woman violence and injury.