Before Deirdre Gogarty became Ireland's first female world boxing champion in 1997, she inspired a young Katie Taylor, who started boxing at a time when opportunities for women in the sport were scarce. In 1996, Taylor expressed her doubts about women's boxing in Ireland, stating she did not foresee it gaining traction and hoped for Olympic inclusion one day.

Taylor's dreams materialized when she played a crucial role in bringing women's boxing to the Olympics, winning gold in 2012. As she prepares for her retirement fight against Flora Pili at a sold-out Croke Park in Dublin this Saturday, Gogarty reflects on Taylor's impact.

In her heartfelt letter, Gogarty reminisces about her own journey:

• 39 years since her first boxing gym experience
• The societal belief that women would never be accepted in boxing
• Competing in front of sparse audiences with minimal recognition

Gogarty marvels at how far the sport has come, with tens of thousands set to witness two women box in one of Ireland's iconic venues. She emphasizes that Taylor's achievements transcend titles and records, transforming perceptions of women's boxing.

As she anticipates the event, Gogarty thinks of:

• The women who fought for recognition
• The girls who were discouraged from pursuing their dreams
• The young girls inspired by Taylor, who will no longer need permission to dream

With immense pride, Gogarty honors Taylor's legacy in paving the way for future generations.