The Bray fighter took exception to comments made on 5 Live Boxing with Costello & Bunce.
Considering the year she has had, you can excuse Katie Taylor for defending herself over a recent observation from a boxing commentator that she lacks a ‘boxing brain.’
The world lightweight champion extended her professional boxing record to 8-0 after a unanimous points victory over Jessica McCaskill at London’s York Hall earlier this month.
While McCaskill provided perhaps the sternest test of the Bray fighter’s professional credentials, it was an impressive display from the 31-year-old WBA World Champion from Wicklow, cementing her place as one of the dominant figures in her sport.
But Mike Costello and Steve Bunce didn’t seem that impressed with Taylor’s latest bout. Speaking on their popular podcast, BBC commentator Costello said:
“A scrappy performance and what I thought it demonstrated and showed us is just how leaky Katie Taylor’s defence is.
“I noticed parts of it before but it was really very seriously leaky this time.
“There were times in the fight when she was launching single shots, single jabs, single right hands.
“She could not miss. It was so easy, and I use that word, it was so easy. It was embarrassingly one-sided but that wasn’t enough for her, she wanted to get involved. I thought it actually showed a lack of a boxing brain.”
Bunce wasn’t overly enamoured by Taylor’s display either:
“I was a little bit surprised by how often she was hit by a six-bout novice.
“I was really surprised and I’m just wondering if maybe she has to revert back a little bit to the pick and hit Katie Taylor that was so brilliant. I’ve had a few run-ins with Katie’s people over me saying that she needs to slow down and do what she does best and stop thinking she’s Mike Tyson.”
Now, at the end of the day, Costello and Bunce are perfectly entitled to their opinions. Expressing those opinions is what they’re paid for. But while Bunce’s analysis of Taylor’s technical and tactical prowess seemed constructive, Costello’s remark that she lacks a boxing brain seems like a bit of a low-blow.
It’s to Taylor’s credit, then, that she responded with a strongly-worded tweet.
No they don't. I would've thought that people making those comments would have some knowledge. The reason I won the fight well is cos I used my boxing brain and outsmarted my opponent. If people who particularly are involved in boxing can't see that, they are absolutely clueless.
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) December 22, 2017
While branding Costello and Bunce ‘absolutely clueless’ is wide of the mark, she deserves to be commended for defending herself. If boxing commentators and journalists can air their forthright views of a fighter, then it’s only fair that the fighter can respond.
Thanks to social media, it’s remarkably easy.
Of course, being at the top of your profession comes with the caveat of more intense scrutiny. Look at how much is said is said and written about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or Rory McIlroy – and it’s by no means wholly positive.
It’s the same across all sports. Some sporting stars prefer to ignore the media, others choose instead to hold it to account.
At the end of the day, Taylor can draw enormous optimism and encouragement for doing Ireland proud this year. While Twitter may have alerted her to Costello and Bunce’s comments, it also reminded her of how highly she is regarded in Ireland and beyond. That is just as important and, if she continues to win fights, there will be less credence to doubts over her boxing brain.
https://twitter.com/TurleyFra/status/944205891502530560
No boxing brain😂😂 you don't achieve the dominance in the amateurs and now seemingly the pro ranks without a sharp boxing brain keep up the phenomenal work Katie 👊👍
— David Thompson™ (@TommoD79LFC) December 22, 2017
Never mind the begrudgers Katie. Keep doing what your doing breaking records & opening doors. We are extremely proud of you in your homeland. #irelandsgreatest
— Pj O' Mahony (@pjom72) December 22, 2017
Soccer remains Ireland’s favourite sport; Katie Taylor is our most admired sports star & McGregor v Mayweather is the most memorable sporting moment of 2017. These are some of the key findings of our annual research amongst the general public. #TSSI pic.twitter.com/j1TJMFumJc
— Teneo Ireland (@TeneoIreland) December 21, 2017
