Latest news with #PeteTaylor
The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Truth about Katie reconciliation, whether she should retire & disgraceful Croke Park fight move… Pete Taylor opens up
WITH every punch, every drill, and every spar with his legendary daughter, Pete Taylor felt like he had stepped back in time. Back in January, he shared a Advertisement 5 Katie Taylor retained her undisputed super lightweight titles against Amanda Serrano last weekend Credit:for Netflix 5 Pete Taylor helped train Katie Taylor for her fight against Serrano Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 5 He helped guide his daughter to a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games Credit: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE 5 They parted ways in 2016 before she turned pro Credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE With a trilogy bout against Advertisement Without a second thought, he leapt at the opportunity and, upon sharing the video to Instagram, declared that Reflecting on that initial spar, he told the Irish Sun: "Words can't explain what it was like. "As soon as we got back in the ring again, it was like we hadn't been apart, you know? "That's where our bond is. Where Katie grew up was in the boxing ring with myself and herself. "We were inseparable, so to be back doing it again, it was amazing." Advertisement The relationship between the two has been the subject of conjecture and speculation since they parted ways nine years ago. Since KT picked up a pair of boxing gloves for the first time, her dad was her coach throughout an important amateur career. Their collaboration within the walls of St Fergal's BC in her native Bray yielded five World Championships, six European Championships, five EU titles, and a European Games gold medal. And it peaked in 2012 when she won an Olympic gold medal in London at a Games Taylor herself had helped to manifest. Pete Taylor opens up on training with Katie Taylor A tumultuous 2016 saw Pete split from her mum Bridget, while Katie controversially failed to retain Olympic honours in Rio. Advertisement She turned professional later that year and, after parting ways with her dad, relocated to Connecticut to team up with current trainer Ross Enamait. Despite talk of a reconciliation, Pete maintains that they have been close behind-the-scenes for longer than people may realise. He explained: "We posted online that we were training together, but we were still very close. I was still over visiting her. "This is a media thing that me and Katie got back together for the fight. It's not true. "We've always been close, and we've been talking for the last five or six years. It was just that I didn't get involved in the training. Advertisement "We were always talking boxing. That's just natural. When I call over to her, we go to the gym together. "She just asked me to help out in this camp, and that was it - but it wasn't that we rekindled this relationship. "We were close all the time. "People love these stories. I think they must have boring lives or something, because they're so interested in other people's lives. "I don't post anything about my own personal life on Instagram. Katie's the same, and then, when we put it up, you could say it went viral. Advertisement "We've always been close. I was actually shocked that it went so viral, to tell you the truth." "We were inseparable, so to be back doing it again, it was amazing." Pete Taylor Last weekend saw her put her super lightweight belts on the line for the second time against Taylor had won both of their previous fights by decision, but left a piece of herself in the ring in concussive battles in Last Saturday called for something different, which is where her dad offered his most effective contribution. Advertisement MORE MOVEMENT He said: "We'd been doing a little bit of training together and I'd asked her to kind of move. "Use her legs a little bit more like she boxed when she was an amateur, and don't get into a slugfest and that's what she did. "It made the fight easy for her." The occasion called for collaboration between Pete and KT's current coach. GREAT MINDS Pete continued: "I was over there in the States and I was talking to Ross. We were just both saying she needs to start moving her legs. Advertisement "Ross was also on the same sheet as myself, saying she has to move her legs. "Sometimes, if somebody else comes along, especially your father, who's trained you for a while, and repeats what your other coach is doing, and you're both singing off the same hymn sheet, I think it just makes sense to you. "When we were training, we were just doing drills that we used to be doing as in the amateurs. 'WORKED OUT WELL' "I just think it worked out well and I think Katie, coming over to The Advertisement It put the pin in a historic trilogy that elevated women's boxing itself, as evidenced by it headlining an all-female card. The show, which included a record-breaking number of title fights, drew a capacity crowd to Madison Square Garden. 5 Pete maintains that they have been close behind-the-scenes for longer than people think Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Already, thoughts have turned to what is next for the 39-year-old, who Inevitably, Advertisement ONLY PRO DEFEAT She also handed KT her first professional loss at the 3Arena in Dublin in May 2023, a defeat Taylor avenged to become an undisputed 140lb champ that November. Their Pete hit out at the GAA HQ bout not having happened already and cited September's And, while he believes his daughter should hang up the gloves, he backed her to make the best decision. Advertisement TIME TO STOP He said: "I have spoken to her every day since Saturday. "She's done everything in the sport. I'd personally like to see her stop, you know? Finish on such a brilliant performance. "When we were training, we were just doing drills that we used to be doing as in the amateurs." Pete Taylor "Croke Park should have been made a long time ago and it's a shame on the people in charge of Croke Park and the Irish Government that they've never made it. It's a disgrace. "You put American football on there and everything else on there and then you can't put an Irish sportsperson. 'DISGRACEFUL' "I think it's actually disgraceful that it has never been made. Advertisement "I'd like to see Katie retire but Katie has the right to decide what she's gonna do and make her own mind up, no matter what. "She's not asked my opinion. If she asked my opinion, I'd say it's entirely up to you. You owe the sport nothing. "If you do stop, it's a great time to stop. If you do go on, well, go on, but make sure you're going to go on and give it 100 percent, and don't have one thought in retirement and one thought in going on. "I think she's a little bit like
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Can Katie Taylor's former boxing club in Bray shake off its murder-scene stigma?
Olympic boxing coach Pete Taylor has claimed Wicklow County Council (WCC) removed all his belongings and equipment from Bray Boxing Club, materials which he values at €200,000, and has called the continued closure of the club a 'disgrace'. WCC, meanwhile, said it will be looking for expressions of interest this month from sports clubs wishing to lease the building. Included in his belongings, said Taylor, are personal Olympics memorabilia including tracksuits and his participation medal for the London Olympic Games in 2012, where he coached his daughter Katie to Ireland's first women's Olympic boxing gold medal. [ Katie Taylor's once home boxing gym in Bray is now lying sad and lonesome Opens in new window ] The building, on Bray seafront beside the harbour, has been closed since a fatal attack on June 5th, 2018, when a gunman entered the club during an early morning exercise class and opened fire. 'In 2018, a tragic criminal act occurred at the club, and I want to acknowledge the tragic loss of Bobby Messett,' said Taylor, who was also seriously injured in the attack. 'While I was recovering in hospital, Wicklow County Council changed the locks on the gym without notice and we were never given access again.' Victims of the shooting included Messett, who was killed, Taylor, and Ian Britton, who was shot in the leg. Gerard Cervi was found guilty of the murder by a unanimous verdict in 2023. The 36-year-old was sentenced to life in prison. No definitive motive was ever established for the murder of the 50-year-old father of three. Pete Taylor leaving the Central Criminal Court in 2021 after he gave evidence in the trial of Gerard Cervi for the murder of Bobby Messett at Bray Boxing Club in June 2018. Photograph: Collins Courts Since the incident, the doors of the boxing club have remained closed. 'What happened to this club and what continues to happen is more than a local dispute. It is a national disgrace,' said Taylor. 'A public-funded facility, awarded for Olympic achievement, has been taken from the very people who built it. 'Our contribution has been erased, our property seized and our questions ignored.' In an email, WCC declined to comment on the status of the boxing club, or whether boxing equipment has been removed from the premises and placed in a lock-up, as Taylor alleges. 'The building is in the ownership and control of Wicklow County Council and is currently unoccupied. Wicklow County Council District is inviting expressions of interest from any sports clubs who wish to lease the above facility for sporting purposes only,' WCC said in a statement. Bray Boxing Club was officially opened on January 28th, 2014, by the then minister of state for sport Michael Ring, and was grant-assisted by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Bray Town Council. The club was upgraded following controversy after Katie's gold medal win in London, when it became common knowledge that the club had no toilet facilities for women, who were facilitated in the nearby Harbour Bar. Bray Boxing Club, Bray, Co Wicklow. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Work got under way at the club in the summer of 2013, with a second storey and extensions added. Bray Town Council secured €190,000 in funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to fund the project, and invested €100,000 from its own resources. 'Expressions of interest will only be accepted from fully constituted, not-for-profit sports clubs playing sports that are recognised by the Irish Sports Council, and which are located in the Bray Municipal District area,' said the WCC's statement. 'Expression of interest along with further supporting documentation must be submitted to Bray Municipal District Offices, Civic Offices, Main Street, Bray, Co Wicklow, by 4pm on Friday 18th July, 2025.' Depending on the outcome of the expressions of interest, it is possible that the gym that once housed Katie Taylor may no longer be a boxing club. Now based in the US, she is a five-time amateur world champion, six-time European champion and, since turning professional after the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, a world champion at two different weights. She has lived in Connecticut since turning professional. She fights Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, topping an all-female bill at the famous New York venue. Adam Nolan, another Bray Boxing Club member who competed in the London 2012 games, was also coached by Pete Taylor. 'This is not about blame,' said Taylor. 'It is about truth and respect for what was built – not just for medals but the lives it changed.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are work coaches the answer to get people back into the workplace?
About 2.8 million people are out of work because of long-term sickness, and the figure is rising. The long-term effects of COVID-19, increased rates of depression, anxiety and stress – worsened by the rising cost of living, job insecurity and stagnant wages – are among the many reasons why more people are unable to work. To address the problem, the UK government recently announced plans to use 1,000 work coaches to help long-term unemployed people into work. According to the plans, these coaches will focus on providing intensive support to the 65,000 sick and disabled people who have been unemployed long-term. But are work coaches the answer to growing economic inactivity? And will their support be enough to overcome the structural barriers many people face when trying to get into work – like health issues, inflexible employers and discrimination? According to Pete Taylor, managing director of the recruitment firm Gi Group, one of the key positives of the scheme is the practical support offered by coaches. 'They can provide essential, practical assistance such as CV writing, which is especially helpful for those with neurodivergent conditions, such as dyslexia, or where English isn't their first language,' he says. Read more: The problem with forcing employees to list workplace achievements Hiring processes are constantly changing, and for those who've been out of the workforce, the thought of detailed applications and numerous interviews can feel overwhelming. Taylor suggests that job seekers could benefit from extra support throughout this process. 'Interview preparation and job search strategies will also be key,' he adds. 'Many individuals who have been out of work for an extended period may struggle with these aspects, and tailored support and preparation, such as mock job interviews and giving feedback on the answers can help build confidence and readiness for employment.' Long-term unemployment can significantly impact mental health. Large-scale systematic reviews have shown that people who are long-term unemployed have an at least twofold risk of mental illness – particularly depression and anxiety – compared to those who are employed. But the relationship is complex, with unemployment both a cause and effect of illness. If work coaching is done right, it can have a significant positive effect on people's wellbeing, says business psychologist Leanne Elliott, co-host of the Truth, Lies & Work podcast. 'A good work coach doesn't just fix a CV or run a mock interview, they help people challenge those negative thought patterns that have kept them stuck,' she explains. 'Many unemployed people suffer from thinking errors – distorted ways of interpreting their situation that make moving forward feel impossible. There's all-or-nothing thinking, where someone believes they can't work at all if they can't get their old job back. There's catastrophising, where one rejection leads to the belief that they'll never find work again.' However, not all work coaches are created equal. Not all will have the awareness or training to provide psychological support. 'Proper coaching isn't about giving someone a template CV and sending them on their way. It requires training in psychology, motivation and behavioural change,' says Elliott. 'Without proper training, there's a real risk that this will become another tick-box exercise rather than meaningful support.' There is also a concern that requiring people to work with job coaches could heighten stress and anxiety. Office for National Statistics data shows that over half of those classified as long-term unemployed suffer from depression or anxiety, with many facing interconnected and complex physical and mental health challenges. Read more: Does AI mean less pay for workers? If work coaches lack the necessary expertise to assist individuals with mental health issues, they may unintentionally worsen the situation. 'If the coaching comes with pressure to find work, or an expectation that this will work and if it doesn't that your social safety net of benefits will be removed, then that is an issue,' says David Rice, a HR expert at People Managing People. 'I think there has to be some clear definitions about what the purpose of this is. It should be to develop the skills and tools necessary for people to be successful in finding work. Not to heap pressure on them to take low grade jobs.' Often, the challenges people face when looking for work are structural. Job vacancies are dropping and there are now more job seekers than available positions, leaving many people applying for hundreds of roles without success. If there simply aren't enough jobs to match people's skills, experience and health needs, the impact of coaches will be limited. Long-term unemployed individuals also have to grapple with discrimination and stigma, too. Applying for jobs means explaining why you've been out of work and disclosing complex, personal health information – and there's every chance an employer may react poorly. And with many businesses backtracking on flexible working, there are limited opportunities for those who need this flexibility, including people with disabilities. "The success of this work coach initiative will ultimately hinge on how well it aligns with broader labour market policies, shifts in the employment landscape, and business attitudes," says Taylor. "If it's backed by job creation, employer involvement and improvements to workplace accessibility, it could make a significant difference.' Read more: What is career catfishing and why is it on the rise? Why some leaders infantilise their workers How to tackle unconscious bias when making decisions at work
