WBA female lightweight champion Katie Taylor has said that she wants to help change the perception of women’s boxing and that she no longer wants to be viewed as just a ‘female boxer’.
Taylor was the first ever Olympic female lightweight champion when she won gold at the 2012 Games in London, and as she prepares for her IBF female world lightweight title fight with Victoria Bustos on Saturday, she looks to continue to break new ground for women’s boxing.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to box on live TV as well so the public can see the best of women’s boxing,” Taylor told RingTV.
“I’d love to change people’s perceptions of women’s boxing. When you watch me box, I hope you just see a boxer, not a female boxer.”
Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn said that he challenges anyone with negativity towards women’s boxing to maintain their stance after Taylor’s fight with Bustos on Saturday night and that the Bray native is slowly breaking down traditional barriers shown towards the women’s sport.
“She should be on HBO this Saturday. They’re gonna show her highlights. She’s getting there,” said Hearn. “If you don’t want to show women’s boxing, OK … It is women’s boxing, but it’s that good.
“I’ll challenge any person in this arena on Saturday night: If you have any negativity towards women’s boxing, after Saturday it’ll be over. And you will follow this girl for the rest of her career.”
