Next World Title fight CONFIRMED for Katie Taylor
Katie Taylor has had her next fight confirmed.
The unified WBA and IBF lightweight champion of the world will defend her belts versus American Kimberley Connor [13(5)-3(1)-2] on Saturday July 28th in London.
The bout forms part of the undercard for the Dillian Whyte v Joseph Parker heavyweight pay-per-view undercard at the O2 Arena.
37-year-old Connor, who is the WBA mandatory challenger, hails from Waskom in Texas but is now fighting out of Little Rock in Arkansas.
A two time world title challenger, the American was blown out in two rounds by Amanda Serrano for the IBF super featherweight belt back in 2011 before moving up in weight where she was last year defeated over ten in Argentina by recent Taylor for Victoria Noelia Bustos for the vacant IBF belt now held by the Irishwoman.
The pair have another common opponent in Jasmine Clarkson. Connor overcame her fellow Texan in a competitive six rounder last July, her most recent fight, before Taylor dominated and stopped the same opponent three weeks later in what was her U.S. debut at the Barclays Centre in New York.
Olympic gold medallist Taylor [9(4)-0] won the WBA title with versus Argentinian Anahi Esther Sanchez in October and, following a defence versus Jessica McCaskill in December, unified in April when she took the IBF crown from Bustos.
Following her win over Bustos, Taylor’s next target was said to be WBO champion Rose Volante of Brazil. Another idea put forward was a fight with a big name opponent on the first Matchroom DAZN fight night in America this September – something which may still happen. Holly Holm, Serrano, and Heather Hardy were all mentioned – with Irish-American Hardy looking the most likely.
However, the Wicklow 31-year-old will first fulfil one of her mandatory obligations in what looks to be an underwhelming, if necessary, fight.
Taylor is currently in Connecticut undergoing training camp with coach Ross Enamait.
The card next month also features Kell Brook, Conor Benn, and Joshua Buatsi, with more to be announced.
