‘I wouldn’t be here if I won gold in Rio’ – Katie Taylor spurred on by Olympic doldrums

Katie Taylor would never have been the headline act at Madison Square Garden if she had won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

On the eve of the biggest night of her pro career, Taylor revealed that the disappointment she experienced at the 2016 Games was the inspiration for her career in the paid ranks.

“I would definitely not be here now if I had won gold in Rio. It’s amazing how it all turned out. I think my biggest disappointment was the stepping stone to my biggest comeback.”

Taylor said she’s proud of how she turned her career around after busting out at the Rio Olympics
the quarterfinals when she was the defending lightweight champion.

“I experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows at the Olympic Games. In any case, I am very, very grateful to have been able to come back from this huge disappointment.”

Despite facing the biggest challenge of her pro career tomorrow night against Amanda Serrano, Taylor said the pressure won’t be as great as it was at the London 2012 games.

“My whole childhood revolved around this Olympic dream and I felt like the full weight of a nation was on my shoulders during this competition. So compared to the pressure I felt during the London Olympics, that seems like a no-brainer to be honest.”

Taylor insisted she forgot the incidents during her fight against Serrano’s sister Cindy in 2018, when her husband and trainer Jordan Maldonado – who is also Amanda’s trainer – badmouthed the Irish fighter.

“Thanks for reminding me. I didn’t think about it at all. I don’t think I need to prepare for what’s coming out of my opponent’s corner. I’m not fighting him; I’m fighting Amanda Serrano.”

The undefeated lightweight champion was in relaxed form as she addressed the Irish media ahead of yesterday’s main press conference.

She joked that she was particularly pleased that she wasn’t fighting on the undercard of a Jake Paul top-of-bill show, which was a possibility.

The YouTuber and influencer is a key figure in the Serrano management setup.

“That would have been a great shame. Jake has been an absolute gentleman these past few months. I can’t say anything bad about him,” Taylor said.