Boxing is ‘act of worship’ for star Katie Taylor

Renowned boxing star Katie Taylor has said that every time she steps into the ring it’s like an “act of worship” over the weekend, and that she knows her future is in God’s hands.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One Extra, the lightweight world champion said that growing up in a Christian household and going to church every Sunday helped her understand “that if you surrendered your life to the Lord, there’s no limits to what God can actually do”.

“Every time I step into the ring I’m obviously just focused on the fight itself but I feel like I definitely honour and glorify God every time I step into the ring, it’s like an act of worship and even every day in the gym when I’m training so hard, beating my body into submission, that’s an act of worship,” she said.

“Ultimately I know my career is in God’s hands, my destiny is in God’s hands, he’s makes a way for me and I get great confidence every time I step into the ring knowing that.”

Ms Taylor recently had to give up her most recent world title, the WBO light welterweight title, in order to maintain her status as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. She is expected to return to the US, Connecticut, early in the New Year after an extended break with her family in Bray, Co. Dublin.

There are times you go through difficulties and heartache, she said, and feel that “your prayers are hitting the ceiling” but “when I look back I realise that God was much closer than I thought”.

“It’s amazing what God can do with an obedient and humble heart. Because of that I have great hope, excitement and expectations for the future.”