Rachel Lally: “Boxing completely changed my life. I struggled with mental health after losing friends to suicide, and boxing genuinely saved me.”

Rachel Lally: “Boxing completely changed my life. I struggled with mental health after losing friends to suicide, and boxing genuinely saved me.”

A school teacher by day. A fighter by night. The 30-year-old Rachel Lally wants to inspire both inside and outside of the ring. “I’m a secondary school English teacher. Teaching aligns with my passion to inspire and help people in any way that I can.”

“I was born in County Mayo, Ireland,” Lally says of her early years. “I had a very rural upbringing with a supportive family. My mum never had a weekend off from bringing me to sports. I played football, GAA, and basketball and competed in showjumping at a young age.” A life in sports was always seemingly in her future.

Lally came into boxing when the perception of her sport was very different. A side of boxing that was fighting apathy from the masses and struggling for acceptance. “I started boxing when I was just 15, back in 2011, just as women’s boxing was beginning to emerge. My dad used to record local tournaments, and I grew up watching them, which really inspired me. When I started, the likes of Katie Taylor were coming up, and that was hugely motivating.”

There’s a far deeper meaning than just winning trophies in regard to what her sport gives her. An ongoing battle with her mental health, with boxing being the best medicine for her.

“Boxing completely changed my life,” Lally told FightPost. “I struggled with mental health after losing friends to suicide, and boxing genuinely saved me.” A period of six years away from her sport while she studied in London found Lally struggling again. Battling anxiety, panic attacks, and low self-esteem until she made a return to the sport that was so important to her. “I’ve done a lot of work on myself, and I am proud of how far I’ve come.” As Lally says herself, she found peace in the violence.

“The mental toughness required is the hardest part of boxing. Also, being a woman in a male-dominated sport has its challenges. When I spar guys, I want them to go 100% because I am.” Lally has certainly seen and experienced what the sport can give and also take.

Lally had ten fights as an amateur, and one moment stood out for her. “It was the Mayo Championship, and I won with a unanimous decision. I was so proud. It felt like I had finally found my passion. I also won the Irish U18 National Championship in 2012, and I remained undefeated throughout my amateur career.”

Now based in Dubai, Lally turned professional in 2024, and she had to settle for a draw against the experienced Georgian fighter Elene Sikmashvili on her debut.

“I felt like people believed in my talent, and I owed it to myself to pursue the professional ranks after challenging myself as an amateur,” Lally says of why she turned pro after her unbeaten run in the amateur ranks. “It’s challenging but rewarding. It’s a whole new world, but I’m settling in nicely.

“My debut ended in a draw, which wasn’t ideal, but my opponent was a seasoned veteran with twenty pro fights and had fought some of the best in the world, like ‘Lady’ Hammer. I was proud of my performance and would love to share the ring with her again. I want to build on my strengths and fix my weaknesses. I’m looking for some big fights in 2025.”

Lally got in the win column on February 21st, courtesy of a unanimous points win over
Cameroon’s Marie Tsimi in Dubai. “It was amazing,” Lally says of her maiden professional victory. “So much work went into that camp, and I didn’t leave any stone unturned in my preparation.”

But Rachel Lally has no intentions of resting on her laurels. A fighter on the hunt for more, but equally one that just wants to enjoy the experience. “I’m focusing on securing another big fight or two this year and, most importantly, enjoying the journey.” But there is the feeling that Lally has already achieved plenty because of boxing. Lally references enjoying the journey, but maybe enjoying her life again is her greatest victory. And one that might never be topped.