Katie Taylor is dropping by The Late Late Show this week and we don’t doubt there will be questions about her recent nuptials, as well as her incredible boxing career.
The boxer sparked speculation after she was photographed wearing a ring on her left hand, usually reserved for married folks, back in September, but kept mum on any celebrations.
While she’s famously private when it comes to her family, her dad Pete confirmed in a recent podcast that his daughter is, in fact, married. Her husband is Sean McCavanagh, a real estate broker from Connecticut.
KATIE’S FAMILY LIFE
Katie Taylor sparked rumours that she was married after she was spotted with a wedding ring on her finger. Pic: KT
Born to mum Bridget and dad Pete, Katie is the youngest of four children. She has two older brothers, Lee and Peter, and an older sister, Sarah.
Katie’s mum has previously spoken about her youngest being a ‘tomboy’ growing up, telling Mummypages: ‘She wouldn’t have been your typical girl. I have two girls and two sons.
‘Katie was very close to her older brother, there’s only a year and a couple of months between them, other people used to think they were twins when they were growing up!’
FALLING OUT WITH HER DAD
Katie Taylor was trained by her father Pete for the 2016 Olympics, before dropping him as a coach after he left her mother for her friend. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
While her dad trained her throughout her amateur boxing career, which culminated in Olympic gold, Katie fell out with Pete after he and his mother split up — Pete later married Katie’s then-close friend, Karen Brown.
Katie and her dad appeared to have reconciled in 2019, with the father-daughter duo stepping out together as Katie fought Amanda Serrano for the third time.
‘She has good morals. She said if you’ve split up with my mother then I don’t want you in my corner,’ Pete said back in 2019. ‘She knew what the outcome would be. She knew that she’d be missing me in the corner but she still had the morals to go ahead and do that. You’ve got to respect that.’
Pete was also nearly killed in a shooting at the Bray boxing club in 2018, which saw Bobby Messett fatally injured. A man was eventually convicted of murdering Mr Messett in 2023.
SPORTS OTHER THAN BOXING
Katie also earned 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland women’s team, scoring two goals. Pic: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
While women’s football is bigger than it ever was, and the Irish women’s team made their first World Cup back in 2023, Katie could’ve easily been up there as the first star for the Girls in Green.
Katie earned 11 caps for the Irish senior women’s team, playing at school level for boys’ teams (shades of her boxing beginnings, when she wasn’t allowed to fight as a girl). She played for clubs including St James’ Gate and Peamount United, winning a domestic treble with Peamount, and scored two goals for the Republic of Ireland women’s team.
SHE’S MARRIED
Katie Taylor celebrates with her mother Bridget after the third fight with Amanda Serrano. Pic: INPHO/Gary Carr
After sparking speculation that she was married when she was spotted with a ring on her wedding finger, her dad later confirmed that yes, she had gotten married.
Despite being notoriously private about her personal life, Pete confirmed the news on the Anything Goes podcast, saying: ‘Ever since the fight there with Katie, people are seeing the two of us back together, even some of the s**t you hear about that.
‘I was reading somewhere that “Katie Taylor never got married because her father wouldn’t let her.” [But] Katie is married. I’m thinking, “Where are you getting this s**t from?”‘
Katie has never shared much about her romantic life, telling The Athletic a while ago that she hated getting those types of questions in interviews.
Katie Taylor (left), Senator Aubrey McCarthy (centre) and Katie Taylor’s husband (right) at Tiglin. Pic: Senator Aubrey McCarthy via X
When asked what was her least favourite question to hear, she said: ‘Probably the question about relationships. That’s another question people always ask. I guess people are just interested in my personal life.
‘I get it all the time. It’s a bit annoying at times but I’m just polite and get on with it. I don’t think male boxers get asked it, though.’
In a rare glimpse inside the World Champion’s personal life, a picture of her husband has been released with the pair paying a visit to Tiglin Men’s Centre in Ashford, Co Wicklow in September.
Senator Aubrey McCarty shared the image to his social media and said: ‘Humbled to welcome the undisputed world champion @katietaylor and her husband & family to @TiglinIrelnad. Her quiet strength and powerful message uplifted everyone in the room.
‘Katie reminded us that recovery, like boxing, demands courage, discipline & heart. Thank you for inspiring hope where it’s needed most.’
It is believed the couple married in Ireland, with just close family and friends in attendance.
