The biggest boxing event in Ireland since Muhammad Ali fought at Croke Park in 1972 takes place this Saturday, as the 3Arena in Dublin plays host to undisputed world lightweight champion, Katie Taylor, attempting to become undisputed super lightweight champion, when she faces Chantelle Cameron.
Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing promote Taylor vs Cameron and DAZN televise the card live.
Decorated amateur, Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) has more than transferred her talents into the paid ranks, and has been a trailblazer for the female side of the sport.
After becoming world lightweight champion in 2017, the Bray native became undisputed titlist in 2019 in an all-time classic split verdict win against Delfine Persoon.
The 36-year-old then moved up to ten stone to become WBO super lightweight champion, before dropping back down to outscore Persoon in a rematch.
Since then Taylor has defended her crowns six times, and when she is written off after lacklustre defences against nondescript opposition, she usually silences the doubters, most recently in a split decision war against Amanda Serrano in April last year.
The two-weight world champion was last seen in October 2022, winning widely on the cards against Karen Carabajal at Wembley Arena. Serrano was due to the the opponent in a mouthwatering rematch, but injury ruled the Puerto Rican out, and Cameron (17-0, 8 KOs) steps in to defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO baubles.
‘Il Capo’ won the vacant WBC strap in October 2020, and added the IBF version in October 2021.
The 32-year-old won the ultimate prize in her last fight, expertly outscoring the undisputed welterweight champion, Jessica McCaskill to add vacant WBA, WBO and IBO titles to her collection.
Prediction: This could be a close, technical fight, and the concern for Taylor may be the extra weight. I still favour Taylor to wow her home fans with what could be a razor-thin points win.
Harper battles Braekhus
Another world title clash heads the undercard, as Terri Harper makes a first defence of her WBA super welterweight title against Norway’s former undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus.
Harper (13-1-1, 6 KOs) was WBC and IBO champion at super featherweight, and after losing her crowns to Alycia Baumgardner in 2021, she won one fight at lightweight before jumping three weight classes to outscore Hannah Rankin for the WBA and IBO 154 pound crowns last September.
Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs) was considered as pound-for-pound number one for a time, and she reigned as welterweight champion from 2009 to 2020, but she was exposed in back-to-back defeats to Jessica McCaskill.
Prediction: ‘First Lady’ returned in December 2022, winning a six round decision, but at 41, I think Harper’s freshness should see her to a points win in this one.
Hogan meets Metcalf
In what could be a war, Dennis Hogan defends his IBO super welterweight title against JJ Metcalf.
Hogan (31-4-1, 7 KOs) won the belt in October last year, taking a majority nod against Sam Eggington in Australia, while Metcalf (24-2, 15 KOs) has won three on the spin since losses to Ted Cheeseman and Kieron Conway in 2021.
Prediction: I think Metcalf can take the title via late stoppage.
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Remaining Undercard
Gary Cully (16-0, 10 KOs) is turning into a shrewd Matchroom signing, and ‘The Diva’ may need to go the full ten rounds at lightweight against Jose Felix (39-6-1, 30 KOs), as the Mexican took former European champion Sandor Martin the distance in defeat last time out.
Belfast-based middleweight, Caoimhin Agyarko (12-0, 7 KOs) also sees action here, and he can score a stoppage win against Grant Dennis (18-4, 3 KOs) in their ten rounder.
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Thomas Carty (5-0, 4 KOs) can secure his first professional title by stopping Jay McFarlane (14-7, 5 KOs) in their eight rounder for the vacant Celtic heavyweight title, and flyweight hope Maisey Rose Courtney (2-0) can come through on points over six at flyweight against Kate Rodomska (3-1).
Rising Irish welterweight prospect, Paddy Donovan (10-0, 7 KOs) returns on the card after splitting amicably from previous promoters, Top Rank with an opponent to still be confirmed.
