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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Katie Taylor looking forward to 'biggest fight in boxing as a whole' against Amanda Serrano

Katie Taylor will make more history when she faces Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden next week.

The fight will be the first time in history that a women's boxing bout has headlined an event at the iconic New York venue.

The undisputed lightweight champion says it is 'a real privilege' to be involved in such an iconic show against seven-weight world champion Serrano.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Taylor said: "This is just a special occasion for me, to headline a huge fight like this at Madison Square Garden. It’s being billed as the biggest fight in female boxing history. This is just incredible and a real privilege for me.

“I love being involved in these kinds of fights. These are the challenges that I’ve always wanted. I don’t think I’ve ever backed down from any challenge. I’ve wanted to face the very best.

“Amanda Serrano is a fantastic fighter, she’s a great champion and she’s not here for no reason. She deserves this opportunity as well. She’s been pioneering her own way and that’s why this fight is the best in female boxing history. We have champion versus champion. The best versus the best and this is why this fight is so special.

Eddie Hearn, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Jake Paul (Matchroom)

“This fight is at Madison Square Garden, the most iconic venue in boxing. The Mecca of boxing, really. You think of Madison Square Garden, and you think the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier these kinds of fights.

“It’s definitely a 50-50 fight. I think that a lot of people will have me, and a lot of people will have her before the fight. I love being involved in these kinds of fights.

“This fight is genuinely the biggest fight in boxing as a whole right now!"

“It’s years and years later we’re still talking Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier kind of fights. I think years and years later from this fight people are still going to be talking about Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano.

“I feel very privileged to be in this position and to be an inspiration to the next generation and to have those young girls look up to me. It’s a huge responsibility as well and I want to set a great example for these young girls coming up. I want to give them hope and I want them to know thy dreams they have in their hearts can be possible.”

The 2012 Olympic champion had to pretend she was a boy to get fights when she was younger and the fact she will now headline Madison Square Garden shows how far women's boxing has come.

She added: “Growing up I had to pretend I was a boy to get fights. I had the headgear on, and my hair tucked into the headgear. They just had my name down as K. Taylor and obviously when the headgear came off there was an uproar because all the judges and officials saw I was a girl.

“I don’t grave the attention or crave the media attention. I don’t want to be famous; I just want to be the best boxer in the world.

“I’m also very grateful for the women that went before me – the likes of Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty, Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali who were pioneers in their sport. I don’t think that I’d be in the position I’m in today if it wasn’t for all those girls who went before me. I’m obviously very grateful for those who went before me.”

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