After making history in New York City, Irish superstar Katie Taylor will return to the ring next month, with a challenger yet to be announced.
‘KT’, current Undisputed Lightweight Champion, was last seen in the ring with Amanda Serrano. The night is in the record books as the first female boxing bout to headline Madison Square Garden.
The pair fought to the final bell in a thrilling back-and-forth fight. Seven-division champion Serrano took it on one judge’s scorecard, but Taylor won by split decision, taking her perfect record to 21 wins from 21.
There were rumours surrounding an immediate rematch, however Serrano has opted to drop back down to featherweight for a unification fight with Sarah Mahfoud on the undercard of Joe Joyce – Joseph Parker.
Hearn, who has promoted Ireland’s Taylor since she turned pro in 2016, spoke to the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani to provide an update.
“We’re going to make an announcement I believe [on] Friday about our show.
October 29th Katie Taylor will return, watch this space.
She has a number of mandatories to take care of, we’re also going to keep a keen eye on Cris Cyborg who I believe has got her boxing debut coming up. She won’t be fighting her on October 29th but that could be one for maybe the end of the year.
We still talk about the Amanda Serrano rematch as well, who we’re talking to MVP about.”
Pressed on opponents, Hearn told Helwani that an announcement would be made in due course, but did reveal some details.
“The legend shall return, October 29th in London. Wembley Arena. She’ll be headlining.
Undefeated mandatory challenger. 135 lbs.”
A look at the rankings tells us that a likely opponent could be France’s Estelle Yoka Mossely. The Lightweight is ranked number two with the WBC, one with the IBF, and is undefeated in ten pro fights. The WBC’s number one ranked 135 lb-er is Russian Sofya Ochigava.
Regardless of opponent, Katie Taylor fans are sure to turn up for her on October 29 in London.