Shannan Taylor's Health Crisis and Financial Hardship Exposed
Australian boxing icon Shannan Taylor, known as the Bulli Blaster, has shared the harrowing moment that first indicated a serious health issue, leading to his stage-four cancer diagnosis. The 53-year-old is currently battling bowel and liver cancer and undergoing urgent treatment, but he reveals that the initial warning sign occurred during a routine evening out on the New South Wales south coast.
The Confronting Warning Sign
Taylor recounted to The Daily Mail, 'I went to Beaches down in Thirroul, we went down there for dinner. I had to go No.2, there was blood coming out of my bum, big time. So I went to the doctor, that was on the Sunday night, I went to the doctors on Tuesday.' Despite a blood test initially showing no cancer, his instincts and family's concern prompted further investigation.
His mother urged him to see another doctor, which ultimately uncovered the devastating truth. 'My mum sent me to her doctor and they discovered the cancer,' Taylor said. Upon receiving the diagnosis in hospital, he turned to his girlfriend Kathy, sister Kirsty, and mother Karren, declaring, 'I'll fight it. It's just another title fight now.' This mindset has been reinforced by specialists, comparing his battle to a boxing match.
Treatment and Determination
Taylor is wasting no time in confronting the disease, with immediate plans for chemotherapy. 'I'm getting a port put in my chest on Wednesday and then on Thursday getting the chemo,' he explained, though the duration remains uncertain, likely spanning several weeks. Drawing on his toughness from a storied boxing career, which included a world title fight against Shane Mosley in Las Vegas, Taylor is now channeling that resilience into this life-or-death struggle.
His motivation stems from his children—Chase, 18, Rush, 20, and Nathalia, 22—whom he vows not to leave behind. 'They're my world. I'm not going to leave them here. I am definitely fighting for them,' he asserted, also praising the unwavering support of his girlfriend and mother, who assists with daily medication.
Financial Devastation from Fraud
Amidst his health crisis, Taylor has also revealed the financial ruin that has plagued him since 2007, following fraud by his former promoter. The promoter was convicted in New South Wales courts for multiple offences, including property and mortgage fraud, and sentenced to imprisonment. Taylor disclosed, 'I lost my house. I made the last payment on the house and he made a line of credit of $570,000. So I've been struggling since 2007.'
This financial blow has compounded the challenges of his cancer treatment, making everyday expenses and medical costs even more daunting. 'It's scary. I've struggled since 2007,' he added, expressing disbelief at the betrayal given his dedication to boxing.
Community Support and Fundraising Efforts
Despite these hardships, Taylor has found strength in the overwhelming support from the boxing community. Legends like Danny Green and Jeff Fenech have rallied behind him, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to aid his fight. 'It's just unreal. It's overwhelming that everybody is getting behind me,' Taylor said, though he lamented that the financial assistance comes due to his illness rather than his achievements.
Close friend and boxing promoter Jamie Myer emphasized the importance of community support, stating, 'Stage four, I know it's not a really good position, but I just hope he gets through it and hopefully we can give him the support that he needs for all the medical stuff.' Myer highlighted Taylor's contributions to the sport over 30 years, urging people to offer both moral and financial backing.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Shannan Taylor's boxing career is marked by significant achievements, including a professional record of 52 wins, 10 losses, and 3 draws with 37 knockouts. He built a 29-fight unbeaten streak early on, challenged for the WBC welterweight world title against Shane Mosley in 2001, and won multiple regional and world titles, such as the WBF super middleweight crown in 2004. Known for his knockout power and battles with Australian stars like Anthony Mundine, Taylor's legacy in the ring now fuels his fight against cancer.
As he faces this dual battle of health and finance, Taylor's story serves as a poignant reminder of resilience in the face of adversity, with the boxing world and beyond rallying to support him in his greatest fight yet.
