The determination was evident from the moment Katie Taylor entered the ring for what was meant as a routine media workout.
No punches or movement were wasted by the Irish superstar, who aims to avenge her lone career defeat in a highly anticipated rematch versus England’s Chantelle Cameron. Taylor once again challenges for Cameron’s undisputed junior welterweight championship as they return to 3Arena in Dublin this Saturday.
“I think I definitely have to make a statement this time,” Taylor said following her portion of the media workout Wednesday in front of a packed crowd at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin. “The homecoming obviously didn’t go my way. This is a must-win fight for me.
“It’s all business this week for me, certainly very different than when we fought last time. I’m just excited to step in there.”
Bray’s Taylor (22-1, 6KOs) dropped a ten-round, majority decision to Cameron (18-0, 8KOs) on May 20 at 3Arena. The outcome soured an otherwise festive and long overdue homecoming for the 37-year-old Irishwoman, who fought in Ireland for the first time in her storied career.
The event was originally planned as a rematch versus Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30KOs), who was forced to withdraw due to a pre-existing injury that didn’t heal in time to begin training camp for the event. Taylor sought the toughest challenge possible as a replacement, which led to her return to 140 in a shot to become a two-division undisputed champion.
Cameron outfought Taylor for much of the night to earn the close but deserved victory on the road. Nobody would have blamed Taylor if she returned to lightweight and even pursued a soft touch for her next fight.
That’s just not in her DNA.
“No other fight made sense to me after that fight,” insisted Taylor. “Straight away we said we wanted it. Thank God I have this opportunity for a rematch. Not every fighter has that chance. I just can’t wait to rectify things Saturday night.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox