What’s Left for Katie Taylor to Achieve in Boxing?
Katie Taylor has not put a foot wrong in the ring in boxing since she turned professional in 2016. She is unbeaten in 19 fights and is top of the women’s pound-for-pound list ahead of Claressa Shields and Amanda Serrano respectively.
The Irish woman is set to feature again in December with the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles on the line against an unnamed opponent at this stage. If she is successful, it will be the fifth time she has defended her four belts in the lightweight division.
Taylor will be looking to emulate what the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the men’s sport has achieved. Canelo Alvarez is a four-weight world champion and has taken on the very best around his weight division. The Mexican is set to meet Caleb Planet next in the ring. It seems the general consensus is that it’s in the bag for Alvarez, as he’s the odds-on favourite in the Canelo vs Plant odds for that fight.
Additionally, Alvarez has had to move up in weight division to pick up big fights. The best example of that was when he took on Sergey Kovalev at light heavyweight. That is something Taylor may also have to do if she runs out of suitable opponents at lightweight.
Serrano Clash Touted for April
Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that he is working on delivering a clash between the undisputed lightweight champion and Serrano in April. This fight is likely to take place at the Madison Square Garden in New York. A venue worthy of such a great bout.
Serrano is considered to be one of the greatest female boxers of all time. She has an incredible record of 30-1-1. Her only defeat so far came against Frida Wallberg in 2012. Since then, she has won nine world titles across seven weight classes, a feat that is unrivalled in the sport.
The two-time Female Boxer of the Year is sure to be a strong challenge for Taylor. The Irish woman has gone down on record as saying how much she respects the Puerto Rican.
Chantelle Cameron Likely to Be an Opponent in 2022
One of Taylor’s biggest tests in 2022 could come against unbeaten British boxer Chantelle Cameron. She is eighth in the pound-for-pound list after going 14-0 in her professional career.
Interestingly, the pair met as amateurs at the 2011 EU Championships. Taylor was victorious in that contest. 11 years later, there is sure to be much more on the line this time between the boxers.
Cameron holds the WBC and IBF light welterweight titles. She won the latter after beating Mary McGee in London last month. Like Taylor, the Brit from Northampton is promoted by Hearn so this is a fight that could easily be made if the pair agree on a weight next year.
This bout would be huge for women’s boxing. Success for Taylor against the younger boxer would cement her position at the top of the pound-for-pound list and ensure she adds to a legacy that is already very impressive.
Next year is set to be huge for Taylor’s career. So far, she has passed every test put in front of her. If she continues to do that, she will be considered the greatest female boxer ever.
