Katie Taylor, a prominent figure in women’s boxing, has been granted an additional 15 days to decide which of her two undisputed championship titles she will retain. This extension, given by the WBO upon request from Taylor’s team and Matchroom Boxing, extends the original deadline set for December 20, 2023. The ruling requires Taylor to choose between her lightweight and junior welterweight titles, as holding championships in two weight divisions simultaneously violates WBO regulations.
Ireland’s Taylor, who has an impressive record of 23-1 with 6 KOs, became the fully unified champion in both weight classes, most recently securing a junior welterweight title in a victory over England’s Chantelle Cameron. This win in Dublin was significant, as it allowed Taylor to avenge her sole career defeat. However, her dual division status poses a challenge under the WBO’s regulations, which prohibit champions from holding titles in more than one weight class at a time.
The decision facing Taylor is pivotal, as it will shape the trajectory of her illustrious career. While she has to decide whether to stay in the junior welterweight division or return to lightweight, other boxing organizations have not yet enforced similar decisions. The WBC, led by President Mauricio Sulaiman, has stated they will provide Taylor with ample time to decide, acknowledging her status as an icon in the sport.
This situation mirrors a previous dilemma Taylor faced after winning the WBO junior welterweight title in 2019 against Christina Linardatou. Following that victory, Taylor vacated the 140-pound belt to continue her reign in the lightweight division. As discussions about a potential rubber match with Cameron continue, Taylor and Matchroom now have a two-week extension to finalize the details, including the titles that will be at stake in such a high-profile event.
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