Sport

Katie Taylor: ‘This is the biggest night of my career’

Irish fighter believes win over Argentina’s Anahi Sanchez could elevate women’s boxing

Katie Taylor and Anahi Sanchez at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s WBA lightweight title fight in Wales. Photograph: Lawrence Lustig/Inpho

Thu Oct 26 2017 - 16:19

Katie Taylor recognises Saturday's world title fight with Anahi Sanchez represents the "biggest night" of her already decorated career and that she is also fighting for the wider picture of women's boxing.

At Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and in only her seventh professional fight, the 31-year-old from Bray challenges WBA lightweight champion Sanchez of Argentina

During an exceptional amateur career Taylor won five world titles, six European titles and an Olympic gold medal at London 2012, yet it is the opportunity presented on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title fight with Carlos Takam that could yet define her.

“This is the biggest night of my career. I’m so excited about it. These are the sort of fights that are going to elevate women’s boxing. It’s definitely a big step up.

READ MORE

“I’ve had a great 10-, 11-week training camp in America. These are the sort of challenges I relish and I can’t wait for it.”

Two-weight world champion Sanchez, 26, who is making the first defence of her title, responded to the fact her two previous defeats also came outside of Argentina, and said: “Everybody’s thinking I can’t lift the belt here, and everybody’s wrong.”

LATEST STORIES