OUR WORLD CHAMPION!
Katie claims world title just 11 months into her pro career
KATIE TAYLOR defeated Argentine Anehi Sanchez on Saturday night in Cardiff, to claim the WBA Lightweight Championship belt, less than a year after turning professional.
She will defend her newly earned title in the UK in just a few weeks, with a headline bout on December 15.
In a press conference yesterday in Dublin, Katie said that she will return to training in America this weekend, and is looking forward to facing rival Jessica McCaskill.
A homecoming fight is on the cards for March or April.
It’s back to work at the weekend for WBA lightweight champion of the world Katie Taylor, as she prepares to defend her title in London next month.
The announcement was made during a homecoming press conference yesterday in Dublin along with manager Brian Peters.
There was joy in Bray on Saturday night when Katie conquered defending champion Argentine Anahi Sanchez in Cardiff, on the Anthony Joshua under-card. Taylor took the points victory and her first world title just 11 months into her professional career.
‘Words can’t express how I feel,’ she said, moments after her arm was raised by the referee. ‘I’m just delighted to be world champion.’
On arrival in Dublin airport on Sunday, Katie told RTE that she had celebrated with family and friends the previous evening.
‘ This is something I worked for my whole life really. Since I turned pro 11 months ago my dream was to bring that belt home, so it’s an absolute dream to have it,’ she said.
‘ This time last year I was definitely at the lowest point of my career but I knew it wasn’t over for me. I knew it wasn’t the end. I knew the best was yet to come. I had to stay determined and not give up and that’s exactly what I did.’
She sustained a nasty cut above her eye in the fight, the first of her career to date.
Sanchez was overweight by a pound at weighin so was disqualified from claiming the belt in the clash.
In a matter of weeks, Taylor will defend that title against US number one Jessica McCaskill on December 15.
‘I’m going back to America at the weekend to start training,’ said Katie yesterday at Dublin’s Irish Film Institute.
‘I am a quiet person, but in the ring, that’s
where I feel the most alive I guess,’ she said. ‘I just want to be the best out there. I want to be the greatest of all time really. I want to make history in my sport and I’ve always wanted that. I’ve a great team of people around me to make that happen.’
She said that she can’t wait to headline the show, and is looking forward to stepping into the ring with rival McCaskill, who has been calling Taylor out for the past year. ‘She’ll regret that,’ said Brian Peters.
‘She’s a great fighter,’ said Katie. ‘It definitely will be a tough fight but these are the fights that I want.’
Brian said that fans can expect a bout on home soil in March or April. He said that it will be a very special event for the Irish supporters. ‘ The support Katie’s got has been fantastic,’ he said. ‘It will be great for them to get an opportunity to see Katie at home.’ The homecoming fight is expected to take place in the 3 Arena.