“I love the fact that God chooses the lowly ones,” were the words Katie Taylor used to describe her upbringing. From a small town in Ireland to becoming an icon in women’s boxing, the Bray Bomber has come a long way. The 2012 London Olympics Gold medalist has herself stated that she comes from a “very, very poor family living in the roughest area, but God chose our family and did something with us.”
But it was not just God who changed the 39-year-old’s life. It was her own hard work, perseverance, and dedication that made it possible for her and her family to come out of the depths of poverty to a better life. Her difficult childhood became the fuel for her to persevere and succeed. However, questions still remain about her background.
Where is Katie Taylor from? Ethnicity and nationality
Katie Taylor was born on July 2, 1986, in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. It was not a pretty childhood, but it paved the way for the Bray Bomber to pursue boxing. Her father, Peter Taylor, a former boxer, introduced her to the sport and was her primary trainer during the initial stage of her career. Taylor herself was a light heavyweight boxer and also worked as an electrician to support his family.
Although details about her specific ethnicity are scarce, Ireland’s ethnic roots are primarily Gaelic—an ethnolinguistic Celtic group. Over the centuries, however, the island has been shaped by a series of influences, including Roman contact, Viking invasions, English conquests, and the arrival of the Normans, a Viking-English-French hybrid people. Regardless, according to Taylor, she never wanted to be a professional and was “only seeking a better quality of life.”
But as she started boxing, her passion took over. It has been 25 years since she started, and she is not stopping anytime soon. However, the credit does not solely rest with her. Her supportive parents and siblings have also played a very important part in her growth, and it is something that she has always been grateful for. However, as time passed, there were some hiccups in her personal life, something that deeply affected her.
What happened between Katie Taylor and her father? Parents & family
Taylor’s relationship with her father, Pete Taylor, was the key aspect of her boxing career. A former boxer himself, Pete trained Taylor from a young age and remained in her corner when she won an Olympic gold medal in 2012. However, their relationship came to an end when Pete separated from Katie’s mother, Bridget, in 2016.
This was a dark period in her life, which she described as filled with “turmoil,” which also affected her training, as she slept in her car between training sessions. Despite all this, Katie wholeheartedly believed that she would win gold in the Rio Olympics, but exited in the quarter-finals stage. Pete later revealed that he wasn’t onboard with his daughter turning professional, expressing discomfort with women’s pro boxing.
Since then, their relationship seems to have recovered, as the pair has been seen together. However, Pete still doesn’t attend Katie’s boxing matches, claiming it might distract her.
Which religion does Katie Taylor follow?
According to several reports, Katie Taylor is a Christian. She has always been open about her faith and religious beliefs. For the 24-1 boxer, religion is “my anchor, my rock, and there are definitely times I cling onto the word of God.” Sources say that before she moved to Connecticut, Taylor would regularly attend St. Mark’s Pentecostal Church on Pearse Street in Dublin.
What are your views regarding Katie Taylor’s upbringing? Would she have been able to achieve this level of stardom without her father? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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