British boxing journalist Gareth Davies believes that Katie Taylor’s Irish following will be key to her cementing her place as one of the foremost female boxers in the world. Speaking to Ger and Eoin on OTB:AM, Davies was bullish about Katie’s talent, her ability to draw crowds and how her Irish following will be key to her cracking America.
“If she turned pro after 2012 in London, she could have fought Minnie Mouse in Croke Park and sold it out three times. She should be headlining arenas in Ireland and building a following to take to America.”
Katie’s camp has confirmed that she will fight a unification fight against Argentine IBF lightweight champion Victoria Bustos in New York on 28th April. Davies believes that the combination of Katie’s personality, fighting ability and the popularity of women’s boxing in South America will mean further elevation of Taylor in the boxing consciousness.
“Women’s boxing has a big following in central and South America. They actually get big numbers to events. Nicola Adams is at a great advantage now that she’s come into the pro game because some of these female flyweights get crowds of 20,000 going to watch them in Mexico.
“For Katie, her style is so exciting. There is an enigmatic quality about her; the modesty [...] She has an extraordinarily attractive charisma... and yet, when she steps in the ring, she’s like some kind of raging bull. Those qualities are extraordinary.”
On Katie’s ability to draw the crowds, Gareth is convinced that her pulling power in Ireland could be key to her cementing her place as one of the foremost names in the global women’s sport.
“If she turned pro after 2012 in London, she could have fought Minnie Mouse in Croke Park and sold it out three times. She should be headlining arenas in Ireland and building a following to take to America, that’s my view of what should be happening.”
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