Katie Taylor World Title fight saved – replacement found for Anthony Joshua
Katie Taylor [6(4)-0] WILL fight for a world title next week.
Doubts had been raised about the Bray boxer’s world title challenge earlier tonight, with rumours that the card on which it appears could be called off. However, in the past hour there has been confirmation that the bill will take place.
Taylor had been scheduled to face WBA lightweight champion Anahi Esther Sanchez at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday October 28th as part of the Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev heavyweight world title undercard.
Earlier this evening rumours emerged that Kubrat Pulev, the IBF mandatory challenger, had injured himself and would pull out of the card – raising the possibility of a postponement.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Pulev has indeed pulled out – but revealed that a replacement has been found and that the show will go on on October 28th.
Update.. Kubrat Pulev has a shoulder injury and is out. IBF install IBF No.3 Carlos Takam as mandatory..deal done to fight AJ on October 28
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 16, 2017
Londoner Joshua will now face Cameroonian Carlos Takam [35(27)-3(1)-1], who the IBF have installed as their new mandatory challenger. The squat African was last year outpointed by current WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker and has also fought Cork-Cuban Mike Perez to a draw.
Taylor v Sanchez features on the bill alongside next week alongside Dillian Whyte v Robert Helenius, Lenroy Thomas v David Allen, Frank Buglioni v Callum Johnson, and appearances for Joe Cordina, Joshua Buatsi, and Lawrence Okolie.
Argentinian Sanchez [17(9)-2(1)] won the black belt following a domestic vacant title clash with countrywoman Cecilia Sofia Mena in San Miguel last month. The former super featherweight titlist claimed a sixth round stoppage on cuts.
Taylor [6(4)-0], a pro less than a year, moved into title contention back in April on the previous Anthony Joshua PPV undercard – versus Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley – when she halted Germay’s Nina Meinke in the seventh to win the WBA Inter-Continental rankings belt.
