Katie Taylor has insisted that she will not be denied becoming a two-weight undisputed world champion when she faces Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on Saturday evening.
The legendary Irishwoman, who holds each of the lightweight world titles, had been scheduled to rematch Amanda Serrano before her fierce rival was forced to withdraw due to a number of minor injuries.
Rather than take on a fight of lesser significance, Taylor took to social media to call out Cameron, who became the undisputed world light-welterweight champion in November.
Despite Cameron's profile not necessarily being as high as former Taylor opponents, the general consensus is that the naturally bigger and stronger fighter will provide Taylor with the sternest test of her illustrious career.
The pair addressed the media on Thursday, Taylor acknowledging the challenge in front of her yet insisting that taking a easier bout was never an option for her first professional outing in Ireland.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Taylor said: "I was seeing the fight slipping away from me. This May 20 date was slipping away. I don't use social media much but when I do, it can make a big impact.
"I knew that Chantelle wanted this fight as well, it was a very easy fight to make. From the minute the tweet went out, the fight was made a few days later. Two undisputed fighters facing each other is absolutely huge for the sport and it has all the makings of an epic fight."
The 36-year-old added: "One thing that has marked my career is that I never pick the easy challenge. I want the biggest fights and the biggest challenges, and what's the point when I have a chance to become a two-weight undisputed champion on Saturday evening in front of my home crowd.
"This is absolutely so, so special and I am expecting a tough fight, but I feel that I am ready for whatever comes my way on Saturday evening."
Meanwhile, Cameron indicated that the fight gave her the extra motivation that she required after beating Jessica McCaskill in their own undisputed fight at the end of 2022.
The English fighter said: "It feels like yesterday that I was in Abu Dhabi thinking: 'I'm undisputed champion, it's not going to get bigger than this'. I remember saying to Jamie (Moore, her coach) the next day: "What now? What can I achieve now?".
"Becoming undisputed was my dream but fighting Katie Taylor is now my bigger goal. It's what I always wanted, but thought would never happen. This fight is bigger than becoming undisputed champion."
Both fighters are undefeated as professionals, Taylor with six stoppages in 22 outings and Cameron having eight knockouts in 17 fights. body check tags ::
