Homecoming: Katie Taylor’s pursuit of legacy

Katie Taylor makes her return to the ring to face Chantelle Cameron on May 20th, in Dublin, Ireland.

Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion, will be moving up in weight to challenge Cameron for her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO super lightweight championship.

Despite Katie Taylor’s immense success in boxing, winning everything from Olympic Gold to undisputed status, this is her first time in 23 professional contests, fighting in her home country.

This contest has plenty of narrative elements to help blow the roof of the 3Arena in Dublin and interest boxing fans worldwide.

Two intense age-old national rivalries are being fought out in the ring as the Irish Taylor welcomes the British Cameron to her backyard. Stylistically, one is orthodox, one is southpaw. Katie Taylor will be fighting for undisputed legacy in 2 weight classes – whilst Chantelle Cameron will be fighting to steal her opponents’ place as the star of women’s boxing.

It is also a rare occasion where we will witness 2 fighters at their peak; too often in boxing we see “safe” fights where unbeaten boxers fight lesser opponents to protect their record. Here, 2 current champions are fighting each other – both undefeated, both undisputed.

The recent rising groundswell of women’s boxing itself is also an appealing component.
Katie Taylor defeated Amanda Serrano to a close decision in the legendary Madison Square Garden just over a year ago, in what has become regarded as “the biggest women’s fight of all time.” Ross Enamait, Taylor’s coach, recalls the excitement in the arena: “we couldn’t even hear the bell ring.”

Serrano was supposed to fight Taylor in a much-anticipated rematch in Ireland, but pulled out due to injury. Taylor now has to add to her legacy in other ways. Having won every conceivable boxing prize in her weight class, she chose the only other viable option; moving up to a heavier weight.

Katie notes how a victory in the Cameron fight can further cement her career: “This is my big homecoming show. I have the chance to make history and become a two-weight undisputed world champion. This will be the biggest night of my career.”

A win for Katie Taylor in May, potentially calling out Amanda Serrano in the aftermath, will only further whet the appetite of boxing fans. A loss opens the door for all sorts of interesting matches and rematches.

Chantelle Cameron is not to be overlooked; she is undisputed and undefeated for good reason. Having defeated the best of her division, Victoria Bustos in the O2 Arena, London and Jessica McCaskill in the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, she is no stranger to competition. She maintains that she has “the strength and power” to win but recognizes that Katie Taylor is “the hardest challenge I’ll probably ever have”. It is to difficult believe that the noise of 8000 or so, predominantly Irish fans will not overwhelm the British boxer, but she maintains that she has the “fire in the belly” and “focus” to succeed.

There will be only one winner (draw notwithstanding)– but this is surely one of those rare boxing events where the fans will really get their money’s worth. With a sold-out arena, a possible “fight of the year”, heated national rivalries and the potential to take women’s boxing to the next level; This is a must-see.

Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron will be streaming live on DAZN, May 20th.

Twitter: cmacod_