Katie bows out at the top

Faith carried Katie Taylor from an “impossible dream” to boxing immortality – and gave her the confidence to walk away at the top her game.

The 40-year-old Irish superstar bowed out before more than 80,000 fans at Dublin’s Croke Park on 5 September, defeating France’s previously unbeaten Flora Pili by unanimous decision.

She retired as a three-time undisputed world champion with 26 professional victories from 27 contests.

Taylor made her final entrance to Bethel Music’s worship anthem ‘All Hail King Jesus’.

With fireworks lighting the stadium, she stretched out her arms and sang along – openly proclaiming the faith that had sustained her throughout her career.

Yet Taylor insists her real identity has never depended upon belts or medals.

“I am a daughter of the Most High, the King of kings, the Lord of lords,” she told fellow Christian boxing great Andre Ward. “I am his kid. That is my identity.”

Born in Bray, County Wicklow, Taylor entered a sport in which women were not officially allowed to compete in Ireland. Sometimes disguised as a boy, she fought under the name “K. Taylor” before winning Ireland’s first sanctioned women’s bout, aged 15, in October 2001.

“The thing I was dreaming about didn’t even exist,” she said of her childhood ambition to become an Olympic champion. “It was an impossible dream. I believe that was a God-given dream.”

That dream became reality when she won lightweight gold at London 2012.

Taylor’s faith developed after Christianity transformed her troubled childhood home.

Her mother, Bridget, stopped drinking and smoking after becoming a Christian, bringing new peace and hope to the family.

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