Packing a punch for aspiring female fighters and SiSú
Donna Ahern recently caught up with world champion boxer Katie Taylor to discuss her career in boxing and her new business venture with better-for-you brand SiSú
Print26 June 2026
World champion and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor is a woman that needs no introduction. Hugely popular in Ireland, she is credited with raising the profile of women’s boxing at home and abroad and is undisputedly regarded as the outstanding Irish athlete of her generation.
She recently collaborated with SiSú which has built a reputation for better-for-you functional products that support wellbeing without compromising on taste, earning 12 Great Taste Awards across its portfolio. Earlier this year, SiSú launched two exciting products: Prebiotic Overnight Oats, which supports gut health and sustained morning energy, and more recently Fizzique, a next-gen soda designed to be ‘chosen every day, by everyone’ – co-created with Katie Taylor.
Since this interview was conducted, it has been confirmed that Katie Taylor will fight Flora Pili at Croke Park on 5 September, turning a long-held ambition into reality. The event has also sold out, underlining the extraordinary level of support Taylor continues to receive from Irish fans.
At the time of the interview, ShelfLife asked: “Fighting in Croke Park has long been spoken about as a dream moment for Irish boxing fans, and the demand for tickets has shown just how much people want to see it happen. How much would it mean to you personally to headline a fight there?”
“It would mean everything to me,” Taylor replied. “I’ve been lucky to fight in some amazing venues around the world, but fighting at Croke Park would be such a fitting way to end my career and I get goosebumps even thinking about it,” she added.
“People have spent their hard-earned money travelling the world to support me, so it only feels right that I have my last fight at home and at an iconic venue like Croke Park. It’s obviously been talked about for a long time now and I’m very hopeful that it can finally happen.”
Q: You’ve faced some of the greatest fighters in women’s boxing throughout your career — who would you say has been the most difficult opponent you’ve ever shared the ring with, and why?
A: Every opponent brings something different and at world title level all the fights are tough but after our trilogy I guess Amanda Serrano will be the opponent that I’m forever associated with. She’s an incredible fighter and we’ve obviously had a couple of wars where we pushed each other to our limits. That’s what makes boxing so special though — you have to dig deep and find that something extra in those types of fights.
Q: You’ve spent a lot of time living and training in the US over the years. What are the biggest differences between life in America and life back home in Ireland?
A: I definitely miss home when I’m there and it’s really just the little things in terms of the food and missing my Ma’s cooking! I also miss the Irish humour, but I have to admit I don’t miss the rain. The seasons are definitely a lot more predictable in the US.
When I first moved over after turning professional, I did struggle a lot with being homesick. It’s very hard being away from your family for such long periods of time but I’m lucky enough to get back quite often and the family also love coming over to visit me as well.
Q: When you’re away from Ireland, are there any standout Irish brands, foods, or products you genuinely miss the most?
A: Of course, I miss the SiSú range when I am away, in particular their ginger shots and overnight oats as well and of course our recently launched Fizzique soda which we hope will be available in the US in the future.
Q: People know you as an Olympic champion and undisputed world champion, but what’s something about Katie Taylor that fans might be surprised to learn?
A: I’m a huge tennis fan and I’m always glued to Wimbledon every summer. I played every sport I could as a kid but never actually played tennis. I have started playing pickleball recently though and I’m really enjoying that.
Q: Fizzique has been building real momentum recently. What first excited you about becoming co-founder, and what gap in the market did you feel the brand could fill?
A: The idea behind Fizzique was really to disrupt the traditional soda market. A lot of brands are focused on non-soda alternatives, but we wanted to create a guilt free soda that people could enjoy so you still get that fizz but without all the sugar or artificial sweeteners and additives so we think it’s going to be a real game changer.
Q: As someone who has always focused on discipline, recovery, and performance, how involved are you in shaping the products and direction of Fizzique behind the scenes?
A: I worked really closely with Brian and Aisling McGann on the development of Fizzique. We all collectively shared the same vision, and all brought different strengths to the equation. It’s been a really exciting journey so far and we are only getting started!
Q: Your partnership with SiSú feels very authentic given your long-standing focus on wellness and nutrition. What was it about the brand that made you want to get involved?
A: I think the key for me was that in Brian and Aisling I saw people who took the same approach to building the brand as I have done with my boxing career. They are hugely ambitious, but they made a conscious decision not to compromise on their principles just for commercial success. Because of that they have managed to make a range of great tasting products from natural ingredients that are genuinely good for you. That’s a philosophy that’s central to Fizzique as well and I think it really resonates with consumers.
Q: SiSú’s new Prebiotic Overnight Oats range is all about convenient performance nutrition. As an elite athlete, how important is it to have healthy, functional options that fit into busy lifestyles?
A: It’s obviously particularly important for me because in boxing you have to make a certain weight while still making sure you are fuelling yourself with the best possible nutrition. But I think people in every walk of life have become so much more conscious about what they are putting in their bodies and scanning ingredient lists to make sure they aren’t consuming processed foods loaded with additives. I think SiSú is proof that you can have something that is convenient and tastes great without making any compromises on nutrition.
Katie Taylor with SiSú Prebiotic Overnight Oats
Q: The word “SiSú” represents resilience and determination — qualities people strongly associate with you. Do you feel that shared mindset is what makes this partnership work so naturally?
A: 100%, we all share the same drive to change the status quo. For me in boxing the battle was always to try and ensure that I was leaving the sport in a better place than when I found it. I wanted to be able to exert influence and ensure that I was opening doors for future generations of aspiring female fighters. I want to continue to do that beyond my boxing career and in business so it’s very important for me to partner with people who share that same ethos and mindset and make a positive impact in the food and drinks industry.
Q: Looking ahead, whether it’s boxing, business, or wellness, what are the projects or ambitions that excite you most over the next few years?
A: At the moment I’m focused on my last fight so I’m training as hard as ever in preparation for it. Beyond that I’m really excited about a few projects I can really get stuck into once I’ve hung up the gloves. Growing Fizzique and SiSú is a huge part of that. I’ve thrived on big challenges all my career so seeing what we can achieve as a business by helping people with better everyday nutrition is something I’m really passionate about. I’d love to stay involved in sport too of course and help the next generation of athletes coming through.
Ultimately, I just want to keep using the platform I’ve been given to inspire people. That’s legacy to me, progress for good and leaving your world in a better place.
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Fizzique launches across Ireland – co-created by SiSú and Katie Taylor →
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