Lauren Mackie: “My ultimate goal is to win the Olympic gold medal.”

Lauren Mackie: “My ultimate goal is to win the Olympic gold medal.”

Lauren Mackie, the Kettering-born elite amateur, is living her dream. A multitude of honours already for the 19-year-old. A fighter dreaming of Olympic gold.

Like many, Lauren Mackie came into boxing by way of another sport. “Before boxing, I mainly did gymnastics, alongside a couple years of playing football and cricket. I started boxing to stay fit. I’ve always liked to challenge myself in an active way. As a child, I’d try any sport, and often it was just down to having the confidence to give it a proper go.” Mackie told FightPost. “I didn’t have any intention of competing in boxing. But once I’d done a couple of sessions and seen the other kids sparring, I knew I wanted to have a go myself.”

For someone so young, Mackie is already deep into her boxing journey. Two years on the GB set up at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield. A senior National Champion. There have been medals at European and World levels as a Youth. In truth, I could go on. “I’ve had 41 fights and 32 wins. 31 of those fights have been on the international stage,” Mackie says of her beyond-impressive resume so far.

At 19, Mackie has seemingly found the perfect blend. They say if you are happy in your job, you never work a day in your life. It might not quite fit with what Mackie does for a living, but the meaning is the same. Lauren Mackie is doing what she loves. “Now I have a career out of it. It’s given me a nice lifestyle where I can just train and compete,” Mackie says of her current life. “I’m fortunate enough to have sponsors so that I can afford not to work.”

“Many boxers inspire me, but I’d have to go with Katie Taylor and Lauren Price as my biggest inspirations in the sport,” Mackie answered when I asked her which fighters inspire her the most. “Both have won the Olympic gold medal and have then gone on to be successful in the professional ranks.”

Lauren Mackie is seemingly intent on making boxing her life for the foreseeable future. The next Olympics is the primary target. “My short-term goal is to be selected for the World Championships, which will be held in Liverpool later this year. And to win gold.

“The 2028 Olympics is definitely my main goal. It’s my main dream in boxing. I wouldn’t be satisfied leaving the amateurs without going to the Olympics. My ultimate goal is to win the Olympic gold medal. I’ve thought about going professional, but it’s not certain that I will turn over. I’d have to see where I’m at once I’ve achieved what I need to do in the amateurs.”

Lauren Mackie is another one of those fighters you sense could be the future of her sport. Mackie is all in. She will undoubtedly get plenty out of her craft. In truth, she already has.