Irishman whose heart was broken by Linardatou warns Taylor of ‘huge power’

The Irishman who had his heart broken by Christina Linardtou has warned Katie Taylor that the WBO light welterweight champion brings ‘huge power’ to their world title fight.

She may not even know it herself, but the Greece-based Dominican Republic-born fighter has Irish previous. If ‘Medusa’ manages to defeat Katie Taylor on top of a Sky Sports broadcast Manchester bill tomorrow she will upset the Irish nation. However, victory in her first title defence and most recent win left one single Dubliner, Paul Keegan, distraught.

The DDP Sports boss thought his plan of securing his fighter Deedee Hobbs a lucrative bout with Katie Taylor was about to come to fruition when he secured the Australian hardwoman a shot at the WBO light welterweight world title. However, the promoter had to watch on as Linardatou registered a relatively comfortable victory to set up a massive payday.

Keegan – who despite being a relatively new face to the game, has secured Dennis Hogan back-to-back world title shots – believes his charge underperformed against the 31-year-old in June and predicts that Taylor will outbox Linardatou to become a two-weight world champion tomorrow.

That said, he does issue one word of caution, revealing the defending champion does pack a punch and brings genuine fight-changing power to proceedings.

Taylor herself has acknowledged the pop Linardatou, who has six stoppages in her 12 wins, possesses in her right hand. and Keegan warns that the power is for real.

“I will be watching Katie’s fight with a bit of disappointment to be honest as it could have been our girl Deedee Hobbs in the opposite corner to Katie,” Keegan told Irish-Boxing.com.

“But everything happens for a reason. I feel Katie will outbox Christina, as her boxing skills are on a different level to anyone in my opinion, but it only takes one shot and Christina is very, very strong.”

“She should have put Deedee away near the end of their fight but Deedee is the toughest woman I know. I believe Katie wins this weekend by points or a late stoppage but has to be very careful Christina has huge power.”

Keegan also remains hopeful he can get the Australian puncher back into the mix and he hasn’t written off the idea of a future Hobbs v Taylor bout.

“That was Deedee’s worst performance. It just didn’t click for her on the night, but we now know what needs to be done and I’m hoping after we get two to three more wins and then Deedee can stand in the opposite corner to Katie.”