There was no turning back…
The professional ranks is a different kettle of fish compared to the amateur game.
Fighting as a professional is all about promotion – from the endless number of media events preceding fights, to the unnerving confidence a fighter must show at all times and not to be forgotten, the choice of entrance music.
A lot of these aspects may be new to Taylor.
No doubt some of these things are prevalent in the amateur ranks but they have to be done to such a greater degree when you are a professional, especially at the beginning of your career.
On the march https://t.co/h7QqwfHjyd
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 28, 2016
Taylor, in typical Irish fashion, has always been humble and respectful.
However with the Sky Sports hype machine in full flow, she may need to begin paying attention to these aspects which may initially be uncomfortable to her.
She even let the decision of her entrance music up to her brother, she told the Irish Times:
“I didn’t know the song. I just said ‘Yeah’ it’s a real crowd pleaser. Did you like that, the bit of bling,”
Its obvious that Taylor doesn’t care about these types of things, so much that she also let her choice of boxing attire up to her promoter, Eddie Hearn. He said:
“I said I’ll pay for that. I want you to look a million dollars. It’s Golovkin style but with bling, she wanted a pair of black shorts!”
It will be interesting to see how Taylor and Hearn’s relationship develops over the coming months.
From a personality point of view, they are quite the polar opposites.
Former Irish Middleweight World Champion, Andy Lee, was speaking on Second Captains last night and host, Eoin McDevitt, mentioned an encounter between Hearn and Taylor before the fight which perfectly sums up Taylor’s professionalism.
Hearn, who usually would be in the dressing room before a fight, went to wish Taylor good-luck but he quickly turned on his heels and left when he saw how motivated, serious and professional the Bray fighter was in the changing room.
Taylor’s next fight is against Brazil’s Viviane Obenauf (9-1) on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title defence against Eric Molina in Manchester, just two weeks away.
If Taylor keeps showing this level of commitment and determination then we imagine a world-title shot won’t be too far away.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
