Katie Taylor Faces Ultimatum On Title Defense Decision

DUBLIN — Katie Taylor, 37, might have to give up her Undisputed Lightweight or Super-Lightweight titles by the beginning of next week.

Taylor(23-1, 6KOs) from Ireland has until next Tuesday, December 5th, to disclose which championship she plans to defend, according to a directive from the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

“If Katie Taylor wins the bout against Cameron, she has up to 10 days thereafter to determine which weight division she will retain,” said Luis Batista-Salas Championship committee chairman in a letter from WBO written to Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, Taylor’s promoter before the match.

“Failure to comply with such conditions will result in the Committee proceeding per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests,” he added.

“Consequently, in light of the foregoing, Katie Taylor must decide within the timeframe provided in the referenced provision which weight division she will retain, either the Lightweight or Jr. Welterweight division,” he continued.

After defeating Chantelle Cameron(18-1, 8KOs) at the 3Arena this weekend, Taylor added Undisputed Super-Lightweight gold to the Lightweight belt, which she has defended seven times since 2019.

Regarding the division Taylor will remain in, it appears most likely that she will give up her Lightweight belt to challenge Cameron for her Super-Lightweight title in a much awaited trilogy match.

“I feel like everyone has to put the pressure on, from the country to politicians to the sport. We could make a financial case on tourism and why an event like this would be a huge success for this country,” said Hearn in media reports.

“But if they can’t understand the compassionate side of giving this event and night to their greatest ever athlete then I really don’t know what we are doing. We’re not even asking for favours. All we are asking for is for the cost to be in line with the biggest stadia in the world where we hold boxing,” he added.

“We don’t want a free stadium – if they want to give us one that would be marvellous – all we are saying is if we could just make it there or thereabouts at Wembley, or Millennium Stadium or Dallas Cowboys (in terms of cost). Should we just all try and work together – what a moment that would be,” he continued.