Pioneering Taylor makes more history
History fits Katie Taylor like the gloves the first women’s Olympic lightweight gold medallist uses as her tools and tonight the 31-yearold is at it again, becoming the first woman from the UK or Ireland to headline an event in a world title defence in this country.
It is fitting that it takes place midweek at York Hall, Bethnal Green, renowned as a hallowed bear pit in east London. Time was when Wednesday fight nights were commonplace there, the floor packed, and crowds baying in the balconies.
The 1,500 tickets sold out almost immediately and a stentorian atmosphere will greet the woman in green, from Bray, south of Dublin, in the pioneering boxer’s first defence of the World Boxing Association women’s lightweight crown against Jessica Mccaskill.
Taylor lifted the belt in her seventh professional fight just 47 days ago – after five consecutive world amateur titles and Olympic gold in 2012 – against Anahi Sanchez, of Argentina, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s world title defence against Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
“This is a dream come true to headline my own show and it’s against a good opponent in Jessica,” said Taylor yesterday. “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. Since I turned pro the goal was to Fight rivals: Katie Taylor (left) defends her WBA lightweight crown against American Jessica Mccaskill tonight become world champion and the plan was to fast-track that journey.
“I want to be in super-fights – fights that generate buzz and capture the public’s interest. I want to unify the division. I want to go down in history and break boundaries.”
The venue suits the boxing purist in Taylor. “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’s such a historic venue,” she added. “I’ve always wanted to fight at York Hall so to say I’m excited is an understatement.”