A pioneer, a long-time undisputed lightweight champion, and a pound-for-pound superstar, Katie Taylor is still hungry for glory as she heads into her showdown with the unbeaten Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday.
Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) finally competes as a pro on home soil and despite challenging for Cameron’s undisputed super lightweight title, she is undoubtedly the star of this show. The crowd will be at a fever pitch long before their favourite fighting female releases a punch and the atmosphere promises to be unforgettable.
Before she’d even turned professional, Taylor was on a crusade to forge a special legacy. She won myriad medals in the amateur ranks and Olympic gold at London 2012 was the icing on one very large cake.
That success was mimicked when Taylor began punching for pay under the Matchroom Boxing banner in 2016, and her Hall of Fame ticket was locked in years ago.
While winning titles at lightweight and super lightweight, Taylor posted wins over Anahi Sanchez (UD 10), Jessica McCaskill (UD 10), Eva Wahlstrom (UD 10), Rose Volante (TKO 9), Delfine Persoon (MD 10, UD 10), Christina Linardatou (UD 10), Natasha Jonas (UD 10) and Amanda Serrano (SD 10).
WATCH: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron, live on DAZN
If Taylor were to defeat Cameron on Saturday – far from guaranteed – then there wouldn’t be many more dragons left to slay. The 36-year-old has faced so many quality opponents, that rematches might be the only option left.
The Sporting News takes a look at potential opponents for Taylor once Saturday night has entered the history books.
Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron 2
Such is the quality of Cameron that a sequel may be required regardless of who wins this weekend.
Cameron is unbeaten in 17 fights with eight knockouts. She’s undisputed at 140 pounds, and rated No.4 on The Sporting News’ pound-for-pound list (Taylor is No.2).
The Northampton star is technically sound, brilliantly conditioned, and she packs a punch. Among the champ’s victims are Melissa Hernandez (TKO 5), Mary McGee (UD 10) and Jessica McCaskill (UD 10).
Despite the fact that Taylor enters the fight as favourite, there are many experts who view this as the toughest test of her career to date. If it’s a close and entertaining encounter, then demand for a re-run will be high.
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2
This was the fight that was supposed to be happening on Saturday, but an injury to Amanda Serrano derailed a rematch of that unforgettable war which took place at Madison Square Garden last April.
Serrano, a seven-weight world champion with dynamite in both fists, took Taylor to hell and back in what is widely regarded as the greatest women’s fight in boxing history. The bout was named The Sporting News' Fight of the Year and a rematch is a guaranteed money-spinner.
Since the Taylor setback, Serrano has gone on to become undisputed at featherweight. Win or lose against Cameron, Taylor might decide to put her undisputed lightweight crown on the line and give fans the return fight they’ve been craving.
There isn’t a serious fight fan alive that doesn’t want to see this one.
MORE: How to bet on Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
Katie Taylor vs. Jessica McCaskill 2
This one probably works if Taylor wins decisively on Saturday night.
If Ireland’s finest exits this weekend as a double undisputed champ, then she may target a trip to the welterweight division. While Taylor would surrender size to Jessica McCaskill, she does hold a 2017 win over the Chicago-based fighter.
As we’ve seen with both Natasha Jonas and Terri Harper, smaller female fighters can leap up two or three divisions and overcome size with speed and technique. If Jonas and Harper can do it, what’s stopping Taylor from rolling the dice?
While McCaskill no longer holds the undisputed distinction in the welterweight division, she is still the IBF, WBA, WBC, and Ring Magazine champion. Would that be enough for Taylor to go over old ground?
MORE: Chantelle Cameron career breakdown
Should Katie Taylor retire?
Taylor is 36 years old, a millionaire, and a boxing legend. What more does she have to prove?
Despite all of her incredible success, the native of Bray, Ireland, has been getting punched in the head for decades. The Serrano fight was her greatest ever triumph, but she absorbed awful punishment in that fight and the warning signs were out.
This fight against Cameron is unlikely to be a piece of cake. Win or lose, if Taylor takes the kind of punishment she did against Serrano, then her brain trust would do well to sit down with her and review all options.
Taylor deserves to retire on top with all of her faculties intact. There’s so much that this brilliant athlete can give back to the sport.
MORE: All you need to know about Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron