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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Katie Taylor left her mother heartbroken over career decision that was "really tough"

Katie Taylor's mother has revealed she was left heartbroken after the fighter decided to move to America.

The Bray boxer turned professional in 2016 after moving to Connecticut to work with boxing coach Ross Enamait.

The pair have gone on to achieve incredible success together, with Taylor now the undisputed lightweight champion and undefeated in her 20 pro fights.

But her mum Bridget admits it was hard to say goodbye to the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.

Speaking on Driving Force on ITV, she said: "It was really tough. It was a day I was dreading. I knew it was coming. I did travel over with her to get her settled in.

"I have to say I was heartbroken when I was leaving her and worried about her and just very concerned about her living in a different country surrounded by people she didn't know and just leaving her on her own."

Katie Taylor with her mother Bridget (©INPHO/James Crombie)

She joked: "I think I was more concerned with her chopping her fingers off using a knife to cut up stuff for ingredients.

"I think she felt in the end that maybe the cooking end of things was a bit overrated so she was kind of ordering stuff in and maybe just making easy things for herself to eat."

Explaining why she opted for the move, Taylor said: "I just wasn't enjoying my sport. I needed a change. I went over to Ross for a few weeks for a training camp. I actually got in touch with him through Twitter would you believe. Thank God for Twitter.

"I just asked him could I go over for a training camp.

"My dad used to have all of his books actually. He's a strength and conditioning coach, a great boxing coach as well. I actually had all of his books in my house, even from a child, so in some sense Ross was always there I guess.

Katie Taylor with coach Ross Enamait (Matchroom Boxing/Mark Robinson)

"I didn't know him as a person. I got in touch with him and asked to come over.

"Ross lived in Connecticut so I had to pack my bags to get close to him. Never in a million years did I think I would leave home to live in America.

"I knew that Ross was the right man for the job. It was obviously really, really hard to leave my family behind.

"It's definitely tough at times missing out on my nieces and nephews growing up but after each fight I'm always home for two or three weeks and I just love that time with my family after each victory."

Taylor is currently preparing for one of the biggest fights of her career against Amanda Serrano, which is set to take place at Madison Square Garden in April.

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