Katie Taylor 'thrilled' to inspire the next generation of female fighters

Irish favourite Taylor (20-0 6 KOs) puts her 135lbs hardware on the line for the sixth time in the Big Apple and does so against seven-weight champion Serrano (42-1-1 30 KOs), the Puerto Rican ace and Brooklyn native.
Both fighters can proudly state that they have played huge roles in the recent rise in popularity for women's boxing, and when they step through the ropes at the famous arena in ten days' time, they smash through yet another glass ceiling and showcase women's boxing on the grandest of stages.

"This is just a special occasion for me, to headline a huge fight like this at Madison Square Garden," said Taylor. "It's being billed as the biggest fight in female boxing history. This is just incredible and a real privilege for me.

"I love being involved in these kinds of fights. These are the challenges that I've always wanted. I don't think I've ever backed down from any challenge. I've wanted to face the very best.

"Amanda Serrano is a fantastic fighter, she's a great champion and she's not here for no reason. She deserves this opportunity as well. She's been pioneering her own way and that's why this fight is the best in female boxing history. We have champion versus champion. The best versus the best and this is why this fight is so special.

"This fight is at Madison Square Garden, the most iconic venue in boxing. The Mecca of boxing, really. You think of Madison Square Garden, and you think the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier these kinds of fights.

Speaking about being a role model, the 'Bray Bomber' is delighted to give women the platform to fight.
"I feel very privileged to be in this position and to be an inspiration to the next generation and to have those young girls look up to me. It's a huge responsibility as well and I want to set a great example for these young girls coming up. I want to give them hope and I want them to know thy dreams they have in their hearts can be possible."
"Growing up I had to pretend I was a boy to get fights. I had the headgear on, and my hair tucked into the headgear. They just had my name down as K. Taylor and obviously when the headgear came off there was an uproar because all the judges and officials saw I was a girl.
"I don't grave the attention or crave the media attention. I don't want to be famous; I just want to be the best boxer in the world.
"I'm also very grateful for the women that went before me - the likes of Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty, Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali who were pioneers in their sport. I don't think that I'd be in the position I'm in today if it wasn't for all those girls who went before me. I'm obviously very grateful for those who went before me."

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