Katie Taylor has shone in what has been a stand out year for the women in boxing. Claiming her latest victory over Miriam Gutierrez making it two wins in two fights, after defeating Delfine Persoon in August, during this pandemic hit year.
The Irish superstar became pound-for-pound the best female fighter on the planet according to The Ring magazine and Taylor was ecstatic with the outcome.
“It’s great to be considered the pound-for-pound number one,” said Taylor.
“It’s a very satisfying way to end the year.
“It’s obviously been a very difficult year for everyone due to the pandemic so it’s been great to have had the opportunity to get two fights in.
“Hopefully next year I can be even busier. There are so many great fights and challenges out there for me and I’m so excited about what’s to come.”
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‘KT’ isn’t short of challengers, alongside her mandatories, being the world number one brings a target to your back which has seen many call out the former Olympic Gold Medalist. We delve into who the likely targets will be for team Taylor and promoter Eddie Hearn.
Amanda Serrano
The one that got away. Taylor vs Serrano seemed destined to happen in 2020 however, like much this year, all hope faded away when the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the sport.
Unable to agree financial packages stopped the fight in its tracks for this year at least, but it looks like the most obvious option for Taylor when the crowds do return to the sport. It has been made before and I am hopeful it can be made again.
Jessica McCaskill/Cecilia Brækhus
McCaskill earned the biggest win of her career by taking the opportunity presented to her in the form of Cecilia Brækhus, who happens to be The Ring magazine’s pound-for-pound number three, back in August.
‘CasKILLA’ upset the odds defeating the Norwegian and states a strong case to fight Taylor, once more, as a significant belt holder at welterweight and with the temptation of revenge too.
Taylor fought and beat McCaskill back in 2017 at York Hall in her eighth professional bout.
Brækhus will face McCaskill in a rematch before any potential Katie Taylor fight and Cecilia herself would be more than a welcomed challenge to Taylor’s crown. If it were to happen it is a true superfight.
Chantelle Cameron
‘Il Capo’ has been very vocal in wanting to fight Katie Taylor for some time now. Cameron has quietly gone about her work almost entirely under the radar now putting herself in a position where she is Taylor’s lightweight mandatory challenger and also the new WBC Super Lightweight World Champion.
Working with Jamie Moore and MTK Global has seen Chantelle speed through the rankings becoming one of the UK’s brightest prospects.
Now Cameron’s under the Matchroom promotional outfit it seems it is easier than ever to make this fight at lightweight especially.
Cris Cyborg
Eddie Hearn has talked up this crossover fight between Katie Taylor and Cris Cyborg, recently stating they are only interested in a boxing match not an MMA bout.
We saw Conor McGregor make the switch to the squared circle to face Floyd Mayweather due to its huge financial gain and I don’t see this bout being much different.
However, people will tune in to watching this potential fight between the Bray puncher and the Bellator brawler.
Natasha Jonas
Since turning professional ‘Miss GB’ has always had her mind set on avenging her Olympic loss to Katie Taylor. Most recently Jonas battled to a hard fought draw against world champion Terri Harper which has put the 36-year-old in good stead for another world title tilt.
Jonas has already settled into a punditry role at Sky Sports, most recently covering Terri Harper and Katie Taylor on the same evening, so will have one eye on a final shot at Taylor before retirement calls.
Again, well guided by MTK Global since her sole loss, a Jonas vs Taylor match up may make sense to Matchroom especially if there is no gate funding for the foreseeable future.
