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13th Mar 2023

Homecoming fight for Katie Taylor finally confirmed

Fiona Frawley

katie taylor posing at a press conference

The Bray boxer will bid to become a two-weight world champion.

The drama surrounding Katie Taylor’s homecoming bout has ended, with it being confirmed that the lightweight champion will face off against Chantelle Cameron, at Dublin’s 3 Arena, on the 20th of May.

Media speculation had been rife over the possibility of Taylor’s first ever professional fight in her homeland being staged at Croke Park, however negotiations between the GAA and promoter Eddie Hearn failed to culminate in a deal.

A different opponent had also been muted, with a rematch against Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano nixed by an injury to the former MMA fighter.

Replacement Chantelle Cameron is by no means a step down in competition for Taylor, though, with the English-born boxer the current undisputed light-welterweight champion and boasting an undefeated record of 17-0.

Moreover, with Katie Taylor the current undisputed champion at lightweight, this bout will will be the first ever title fight between to undisputed World Champions in women’s boxing.

Taylor had been in talks to face off in a rematch against Serrano.

‘Reigning undisputed world champions going up against each other’

For just the second time in the Bray boxer’s career, she will step up in weight to fight Cameron, with the only previous occasion being her WBO junior-welterweight title victory over Dominican boxer Christina Linardatou in November of 2019.

Looking ahead to her maiden professional fight in Ireland, Katie Taylor said: “It’s two undefeated, reigning undisputed world champions going up against each other and I believe that’s the first time that’s ever happened in the modern era of the sport”.

“I’m delighted it’s happening and I’m looking forward to becoming a two-weight undisputed champion in Dublin on May 20”, said Taylor on the prospect of facing off against Cameron.

Chantelle Cameron is also undefeated in her professional career.

Katie Taylor is one of the biggest names in the sport, with the fight presenting a seismic opportunity for opponent Chantelle Cameron, who said “It feels surreal that this fight is actually happening”.

“It feels like my whole professional career has been based around this fight and I never imagined it would actually happen for one reason or another”, the undisputed light-welterweight champion stated.

May’s fight at the 3 Arena will not be the first time the pair have met in the ring, with Taylor enjoying a comfortable victory in the amateur ranks at the European Championships back in 2011.

Streaming giant DAZN have been announced as the broadcaster’s of the bout, although ticketing information has yet to be confirmed.

Header image via Shutterstock 

This article originally appeared on sportsjoe.ie 

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