Parental concern to limit boxing’s rise
Since courage, daring and a belief in the journey you were about to take already filled the room, it was hardly a coincidence that the little one soon strung together, for the very first time, the 15 or so steps from one side of the parlour to the other.
She could do much worse than continue to take her cues from our new Olympic champion.
As many have pointed out this week, any parent would do well to hold Katie up as a sporting role model, heck, any kind of role model. There is something remarkably appealing about her quiet dignity that has united a nation in affection.
Confidence without swagger. Risk without recklessness. Bravery with no need for bravado.
But will she — as the London 2012 motto urges — inspire a generation to box?
I’m not so sure.
Of course, she has thrown doors open for women fighters. And she will encourage countless young girls and boys to throw a punch for the first time.
But will protective parents ever allow her sport to truly prosper?
It wasn’t hard to imagine Pete Taylor’s pride this week. You just pictured 15 small steps across a front room and did a little multiplication.
But even a dad immersed in boxing all his life eyes a safer future for his daughter.
“You don’t play boxing, you play football, you play tennis, you play all these other games, but you don’t play boxing. If you go in there and play, you’ll get hurt.”
We like to see small girls play. And hate them hurting. So the chances are many of them will be urged to follow Katie’s journey but perhaps take a different route.
