Many fans were left wondering the significance of the song Katie Taylor had playing as she entered the ring in Croke Park on Saturday night for her final fight.
The song, All Hail King Jesus, was a recording by Bethel Music and sung by Bethany Wohrle.
Bethel Music is a music label and collective of religious musicians based at a Christian ‘megachurch’ in California, whose mission is “Carrying the culture of Heaven to the nations through worship”.
Taylor (40) is a born-again Christian and she and her family have been long-time members of St Mark’s Pentecostal Church on Pearse Street in Dublin, and she has often credited her faith in God and Jesus for her success.
All Hail King Jesus played for her final walk out against France’s Flora Pili.
At one point Taylor held her arms aloft and sang along with the lyrics, including the chorus:
“All hail King Jesus
“All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
“All hail King Jesus
“All hail the Savior of the world.”
Taylor now lives with her husband Sean McCavanagh and his family in Connecticut, US, where they attend church together.
As well as her walk out to a Christian anthem, the fighter had “Psalm 18” emblazoned on her boxing gear for the fight.
The psalm begins: “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Taylor has previously recited parts of the psalm before and after fights.