Irish boxer Katie Taylor has hit back at sexist comments from a British fighter who said that a woman’s place was not in the ring but in the kitchen – and the bedroom!
Taylor is considered one of Ireland’s best ever sports people and has several world and European titles to her name.
However, as a female boxer, she has had to contend with chauvinistic attitudes from men at numerous times throughout her sporting life.
Although it hasn’t often come from someone as well-known as world title contender Billy Joe Saunders, who really should know better with regards to what Taylor has had to sacrifice to reach the top.
Saunders was asked to give his opinions on women’s boxing in a recent interview. He said: “I think women are there for sex. Every night. Hard sex. Women’s there for cleaning, cooking, washing and sex.”
Interviewer Kugan Cassius then asked what he thought about Olympic and World Champion Taylor.
Saunders replied: “They’re not to put a headguard on and get punched in the face, although, I must say, Katie Taylor’s done extremely well and she once punched Frankie Gavin up in sparring.
“All jokes aside, that’s my opinion on women, but I’m just a sex maniac.”
Cassius reminded him that Taylor was Olympic champion while Saunders was beaten in the 2008 Beijing games.
Saunders said that he respected Taylor but didn’t think it was nice to see women “punching each other on the nose and face”.
After seeing the clip Taylor responded on Twitter:
I feel sorry for his wife and daughter if that’s his only view of women. https://t.co/YXSKHTVX22
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) July 23, 2015
There was plenty of support for Taylor on social media.
@KatieTaylor tell him to come out to Bray and say that
— BrayGuy (@BrayGuy) July 23, 2015
@KatieTaylor @webboxingleague You should just offer him a charity match and punch him into a coma, Katie.
— Conor Hicks (@chickstop) July 23, 2015
@KatieTaylor @webboxingleague wife? Lol with an attitude like that I’m sure he is living in his mothers basement watching star wars all day
— Tommy Coyle Fans (@tommycoylefans) July 23, 2015
@KatieTaylor limited view of 50% of humanity sad as his daughter realises she has her very own discriminator instead of personal champ
— Wellbeing & Training (@Livelifefullon) July 24, 2015
@KatieTaylor brilliant response Katie, posted his comments to our South of England Female boxing page, not a smart move #RiseAbove
— michelle keen (@tombraider77) July 24, 2015
@KatieTaylor @webboxingleague I pity Mr Saunders, not a lot going on upstairs, I’ll pity him more when @AndyLeeBoxing is finished with him!
— John Berkery (@smacbiorthagra) July 23, 2015
Luckily for Saunders, he will never have to share a ring with the women’s world champion.
However, one Irish person who will be able to punish Saunders for his comments is world champion Andy Lee.
Lee he is scheduled to fight Saunders for the world title in September at Thomond Park stadium, Limerick.
Take a look at the video below. Warning – very strong language.
Skip to 2.40 mins for Saunders’ comments on women’s boxing.
