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Katie Taylor "well prepared" for dual-weight world title bid

Katie Taylor will look to join some of the greats of Irish boxing by becoming a two-weight World ...



Katie Taylor
Other Sports

Katie Taylor "well prepared" for dual-weight world title bid

Katie Taylor will look to join some of the greats of Irish boxing by becoming a two-weight World Champion.

The Bray boxer fights Christina Linardatou as the headline act at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Taylor is going up a weight division to 140 pounds for the bout against Linardatou. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist has enjoyed a perfect 14 and 0 start to her pro career.

The lightweight WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF world titles are the spoils of Taylor's professional success thus far.

Ahead of the jump in weight division, Taylor says she is happy with how training has gone."I'm definitely feeling well prepared."

Topping the bill at the Manchester Arena will be a special moment for Taylor.

"To fight here in the Manchester Arena again is absolutely incredible and to headline a show is such a special moment for me.

"I have a chance to become a two-weight world champion whixch is history-making for me.

"This is amazing for me to be in this position."

Milestone

Taylor is aware of how few Irish fighters have been in a similar position to her.

"I was told earlier that Steve Collins and Carl Frampton are the only two Irish boxers to win world titles at different weights.

"This is a milestone moment in my career to be headlining a show in Manchester and I really hope that Irish fans travel to the fight."

Christina Linardatou had previously suggested that Delfine Persoon had beaten Katie Taylor in her last fight but didn't get the verdict due to the politics of boxing.

The only defeat Linardatou suffered in her professional career, somewhat ironically came in 2016 when she lost on points to Persoon.

Taylor clearly rates her opponent.

"It's not going to be an easy fight, that's for sure. I do feel like she's the best 140-pounder out there at the moment. The two of us are definitely going to gel well. It's going to make for a very exciting fight."

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Boxing Katie Taylor Linardatou