Katie Taylor aiming to drive on women’s boxing with early unification

Katie Taylor [8(4)-0] wants the big fights not just for herself but for women’s boxing.

The Bray fighter attempts to follow in the footsteps of Carl Frampton and Ryan Burnett to become Ireland’s third ever unified world champion when she fights in New York this coming Saturday night.

Victory over Victoria Noelia Bustos on a card topped by Daniel Jacobs v Maciej Sulecki will see the London 2012 gold medal winner add the IBF lightweight title to the WBA crown she won in just her seventh fight.

It will prove a massive moment for Ireland’s Golden Girl, but the Irish boxing legend won’t settle for that success.

In typical driven fashion Taylor wants to become undisputed champion at the weight and believes it’s important for the female side of the sport that she, along with her co-stars, provide big nights to excite fans.

Taylor is forging a new path in women’s boxing alongside fellow Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields who will fight to become a unified world champion at a second weight this Summer – in just her sixth fight.

Bray’s Taylor, who would need a mansion decorated with mantle pieces in every room to hold her amateur medals has long been one of the flag bearers for the women’s game.

Promoter of Saturday night’s event and Taylor’s eight fights to date, Eddie Hearn, has been adamant that people should judge Taylor as they would any fighter regardless of gender and often points out she should be respected as an extremely talented boxer not merely a brilliant ‘female fighter.’

However, the record-breaking Irish star still seems to feel she has a duty to the women’s element of the sport, and if she comes through the experienced Argentine on a Sky-broadcast bill this weekend she believes it’s essential that all the names and title holders in her division trade leather.

“There are so many big names in my division. I think it is so important for women’s boxing that those fights happen,” the 31-year-old told Sky Sports.

“I want to be involved in the biggest fights possible. Fights that are going to excel the sport as well.”

Taylor has expressed a desire to fight at home and while Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has flirted with a big homecoming on numerous occasions, it hasn’t materialised.

Saturday proves another chance to impress an American audience something, she has been doing on a lesser scale during training camps in Connecticut.

One of just two reigning Irish world champion has also been impressed with things in America.

“It’s probably in the middle of nowhere here. There’s not a lot to do except train but I love that and I love the environment here. I love the atmosphere in this gym.”

“We have some quality spars here in the gym. There’s some quality fighters who I have the privilege of being around, there are top-seasoned pro fighters and I learn from them all the time.”