Katie Taylor, the legendary Irish boxer, has made a significant decision regarding her career, choosing to vacate her WBO and IBF lightweight titles. This move comes after Taylor was summoned by the WBO to decide whether she would return to the lightweight division or continue her campaign at junior welterweight.
The vacating of these titles has already set in motion a fight between Caroline Dubois and Rhiannon Dixon for the now vacant IBF lightweight title. The WBO, however, has yet to announce its plan for its vacant lightweight title. Taylor, who held undisputed championship status in both the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions, still retains the WBA and WBC titles at both weights. Her decision to focus on defending her junior welterweight crown aligns with her current standing and future aspirations in boxing.
At 37 years old, Taylor, hailing from Bray, Ireland, secured her status as a two-division undisputed champion with a majority decision win over England’s Chantelle Cameron last November in Dublin. This victory marked a significant moment in her career, avenging her sole defeat to Cameron and reinforcing her position as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Taylor’s decision to prioritize her junior welterweight titles over the lightweight division adheres to the WBO’s regulation that prohibits holding titles in more than one weight division simultaneously. This decision echoes a similar choice she made in 2019 after winning the WBO junior welterweight title from Christina Linardatou. Back then, she vacated the 140-pound belt to focus on her lightweight reign.
With Taylor’s focus now firmly set on the junior welterweight division, there is increasing speculation about a potential third fight with Cameron. Both fighters have expressed interest in this matchup, with Taylor proposing it be held at Croke Park to accommodate the high demand for tickets.
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