DEFENDING THE THRONE
Matchroom host a cracking card thanks to Haye’s withdrawal, writes Declan Taylor
Katie Taylor puts her world crown on the line for the very first time
THE unfortunate postponement of Tony Bellew’s December 17 rematch with bitter rival David Haye – rescheduled for May 5 – has resulted in the best Wednesday night of professional boxing York Hall has seen for decades.
Although the main event – Katie Taylor’s first world title defence – was already in the books, the likes of Conor Benn and Josh Kelly [inset] have been added to the bill since Bellew-haye got pulled. Indeed, the inclusion of Kelly means there are now four Olympians in action on the card, which will be witnessed by a sell-out 1,500 crowd inside the iconic Bethnal Green venue.
Taylor, 7-0 (4), defends the WBA female lightweight belt she won by unanimously outpointing Anahi Sanchez over 10-twos in Cardiff in October. There were rumours her first defence might take place back in Ireland, but it has instead landed in London, just five miles down the road from the arena where she won 2012 Olympic gold.
She said: “It’s a dream come true to headline my own show. It’s against a good opponent in Jessica [Mccaskill]. I’ve only been a pro for a year, and I’m defending a world title already. It’s a great way to end a fantastic year.
“I’ve never fought at York Hall before, but my brother Peter boxed there in a university match years ago. I was there and the atmosphere was fantastic. It always comes across as electric on the television as well. It’s such a historic venue and you just have to look at the list of fighters who have boxed there.
“I’ve always wanted to fight at York Hall, so to say I’m excited is an understatement.
“It was an OK performance in Cardiff, but there was room for improvement as well. Overall, I was happy. It was my first world title fight and it was a clear win. I feel like I’ve even improved since then, so I can’t wait to get back in there and show what we’ve been working on.”
Her opponent is the 5-1 (3) American Mccaskill, who is yet to box outside of the US in her career, or compete over
10 rounds. The Chicago native appears to have secured her shot at Taylor after months of calling her out, most recently in the ring following her second-round stoppage of Natalie Brown in July – her latest outing.
“She hasn’t left me alone for the last year,” Bray’s Taylor said of Mccaskill. “But I haven’t really heard much of Jessica since she has called me out over the last few months. We had other things on our mind, preparing for a world title shot.
“I’m not going to be avoiding anyone as a world champion. If anyone calls me out, I’ll be willing to take them up on that. I’m not one for trash-talking – I prepare to do my work in the gym, and my talking in the ring.”
Taylor can do her talking by securing a late stoppage win against Mccaskill.
Down the bill, Taylor’s fellow Olympian Kelly is joined by his Rio 2016 GB squad-mates Lawrence Okolie and Joe Cordina. Hackney cruiser Okolie, 6-0 (5), will box over six rounds, while Cardiff’s Cordina, 5-0 (4), will make the step up to eight at super-feather.
Welter Kelly, 4-0 (3), meanwhile, is set for a 10-rounder against the 25-8-3 Frenchman Jean Michel Hamilcaro, who has mixed with the likes of Jack Culcay and Michel Soro. Ahead of a 2018 which Matchroom hope will yield titles for the Sunderland stylist, this will be a very worthwhile test.
December 13 will also be a significant night in the career of Martin J. Ward, 18-0-2 (8), who faces Juli Giner, 21-2-1 (8), for the vacant European superfeatherweight strap. After successful British title defences against Maxi Hughes and Anthony Cacace this year, victory over Spanish hardman Giner – a former holder of the EBU 130lb crown – would provide the perfect ending to 2017 for the Brentwood-based fighter. Ward can triumph on a wide points decision.
There is also an intriguing lightheavyweight 10 between Lightwater’s
Jake Ball, 10-1 (8), and Bushey’s
Miles Shinkwin, 14-2 (7). Both boxers suffered defeats in late 2016, but got back on the horse with victories this year. Shinkwin won a September six-rounder, while Ball has rebuilt with three wins this year. Both men know that this unusual festive Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Action/mix, could either make or break their 2018 – not to mention their Christmas dinner.
Elsewhere, rising trio Felix Cash, Ted Cheeseman and Gamal Yafai are also in action.
THE VERDICT Lots to look forward to on this stacked show.