Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STATESIDE FIGHT AIM FOR KATIE
KATIE TAYLOR is itching to make her US ring debut this summer after watching Michael Conlan take over New York last weekend. Taylor fights for the fourth time as a professional tomorrow, with the 30-year-old set to meet Bulgarian Milena Koleva in the Manchester Arena on the undercard of a world lightweight title clash between Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares. That bout will be the Bray woman’s first eight-rounder before her quickfire schedule takes her to Wembley on April 29, while promoter Eddie Hearn already has a summer ring outing in the United States pencilled in for later this year. After seeing former amateur team-mate Conlan attract a wild Irish sell-out crowd of over 5,000 to Madison Square Garden’s Theater last Friday night for his stoppage win over Tim Ibarra, former Olympic champion Taylor is now keen to get a taste of a big US fight night. “I watched Michael’s fight on RTE the next day, it was fantastic. The atmosphere looked brilliant - what a debut,” said Taylor, who was unable to take in the fight in person as she travelled home from her Connecticut training base ahead of this weekend’s Manchester date. “Yeah, that would be incredible,” said Taylor on the prospect of following Conlan’s lead by fighting on a big US card this summer. “I suppose I had a bit of a taste for a big event like that from boxing at the London Olympics in the final but it would be great to box in an iconic venue in the States and to have such a big crowd behind me as well.” For now, the 30-year-old is staying focused on her immediate schedule and two English ring dates in the next five weeks. Following her debut last November, this weekend’s fight against Koleva will be the Taylor’s fourth contest in a little over four months as manager Brian Peters and promoter Hearn look to boost the boxer’s profile ahead of a world title shot later this year. “Training’s been going great,” said Taylor. “I feel in great shape and obviously the opponent is a good step up as well and it’s a good eight-rounder. “I’m very excited about that and excited to put on a good show.”