Katie Taylor (born 2 July 1986) is an Irish professional boxer and former footballer. In boxing she currently is a unified lightweight female world champion, having held the WBA title since 2017, and the IBF title since April 2018. As of May 2018, she is ranked as the world's second best active female lightweight and 11th best active boxer, pound for pound, by BoxRec. A prodigious amateur boxer, Taylor won five consecutive gold medals at the Women's World Championships, gold six times at the European Championships, and gold five times at the European Union Championships. Hugely popular in Ireland, she is credited with raising the profile of women's boxing at home and abroad. Regarded as the outstanding Irish athlete of her generation, she was the flag bearer for Ireland at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony before going on to win an Olympic gold medal in the lightweight division. Taylor turned professional in 2016 under Matchroom Boxing, and is known for her fast-paced, aggressive boxing style.