In the world of women’s professional boxing, there are few bigger and more talented athletes than Irish sensation Katie Taylor. The popular puncher from Bray has done for female boxing what Conor McGregor did for mixed martial arts, dragging their sport into the public eye and attracting millions of new fans.
Taylor, now based in Connecticut, USA, boasts a professional boxing record of 23 wins against just one defeat, six of which were knockouts. The sole defeat on her card was inflicted by England’s Chantelle Cameron in Dublin last May, with “Il Capo” claiming a highly contentious majority decision. Taylor’s first loss shocked the boxing world, but she bounced back in style to win the rematch at the 3Arena, this time getting the nod in another majority decision.
Fans want to see Taylor and Cameron go head-to-head once more to finally decide who is the better fighter of the two, settling a long-running dispute. It’s unknown if the pair will meet before the summer in England or Ireland, but it’s a potential blockbuster that has got the sports world talking. Casual boxing fans are intrigued while the world’s press makes predictions and the top gambling apps, from the UFC to NBA online betting sites, offer odds.
Fight fans can study the form, track injury news, and have their say on the result even before the contest is announced. The top apps offer better odds to those who act early and will return stakes if Taylor vs. Cameron III doesn’t happen in 2024.
Taylor considering alternatives
Rumors are rife that both Taylor and Cameron would be happy to see the back of each other and proceed in different directions, with both women knowing the damage another defeat could do to their careers.
It’s reported in certain sections of the boxing and sports media that Taylor would prefer to take on another opponent before jumping back in with Cameron to complete the trilogy. Katie’s next move remains a mystery, but following back-to-back grueling bouts with Chantelle in Dublin, few would blame her for opting for a change of scenery.
Is that paper talk? Is Taylor angling for a bigger cut of the prize money, or is she seriously considering facing a different name in her next bout? If she is looking for alternatives, the 37-year-old certainly won’t be short of offers. The best-emerging talent wants to test themselves against a veteran fighter who has fought over 200 professional rounds.
Dubois throws her hat into the ring
One fighter eager to share a ring with Taylor is England’s Caroline Dubois, who is unbeaten and has said she’d be willing to travel to Ireland or the USA to help make the bout a reality.
If Taylor doesn’t fight Cameron next, Dubois looks like the most obvious alternative. She has a proud 9-0-0 record with five knockout wins and is currently ranked number one in the United Kingdom and first in the world at lightweight. A meeting of Taylor and Dubois would be a huge event in British and Irish sports, bringing together two supremely talented fighters and passionate sets of fans in a festival of pugilism.
Who wins, Taylor or Dubois? It’s a big enough draw to sell out any major soccer stadium in the UK, including Wembley. If Taylor did fight Dubois next, the Irish woman would be the favorite with pundits and bookies due to her experience, form, and reputation. But at 37 years old, Katie knows time is very much against her. Does she still have what it takes to defeat a hungry and ambitious opponent in Caroline? That remains unclear, but there’s plenty of evidence to support a Taylor win.
Keep reading as we highlight some of our favorite wins for Katie Taylor during her career. These bouts showed that the 5ft 5-inch orthodox boxer could handle the pressure and deliver victory.
Taylor vs. Persoon
Taylor faced perhaps her toughest challenge yet when she stepped into the ring against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon. The bout, billed as a unification clash for the undisputed lightweight championship, pitted Taylor against a relentless and formidable opponent known for her aggressive style and ironclad determination.
From the opening bell, the fight lived up to its billing, with both fighters trading punishing blows in a brutal war of attrition. Taylor showcased her versatility, seamlessly transitioning between offense and defense, while Persoon pressed forward relentlessly, refusing to yield an inch.
In the end, Taylor’s superior boxing skills and ring IQ proved decisive as she claimed a razor-thin victory via majority decision.
Taylor vs. Linardaton
Taylor ventured into uncharted territory as she moved up in weight to challenge Christina Linardatou for the WBO junior welterweight title. Stepping into the ring against a naturally bigger and stronger opponent, Taylor faced a daunting task. However, true to form, Taylor rose to the occasion, showcasing her exceptional skill set and adaptability.
Throughout the bout, Taylor’s superior speed and footwork allowed her to dictate the tempo, while her precise counterpunching kept Linardatou at bay. Despite facing adversity in the later rounds, Taylor remained composed and composed, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory and becoming a two-weight world champion in the process.
Taylor vs. Serrano
Taylor added another chapter to her career when she met Cindy Serrano at Madison Square Garden, the mecca of boxing. With the eyes of the world upon her, Taylor delivered a masterful performance, dominating Serrano from start to finish with her trademark combination of speed, power, and precision.
Despite Serrano’s best efforts to weather the storm, she was simply no match for Taylor’s superior skill and technique. In front of a raucous crowd, Taylor put on a boxing clinic, showcasing her full arsenal of punches and defensive prowess en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
The win not only further solidified Taylor’s status as one of the sport’s premier talents but also served as a watershed moment for women’s boxing, as Taylor’s star power and skill captivated audiences on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
