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Three-fight Katie Taylor plan – Eddie Hearn reveals what’s next


Team Taylor have contacted Delfine Persoon’s people about a possible rematch, but it looks like the return will happen after the Irish fighter attempts to create more history.

Taylor this week returned to America and is back in training for an October or November fight date.

A host of names have been mentioned as potential October rivals but ideal foe Amanda Serrano looks less likely by the week and an instant rematch with Persoon was initially dismissed by manager Brian Peters.

Katie Taylor

However, promoter Eddie Hearn claims an immediate repeat of the opinion-splitting Summer classic could be back on the cards, revealing contact has been made with the Belgian’s team.

It’s not Team Taylor’s first choice – although it seems to be the wish of the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA title holder and the vast majority of fans – rather it is more likely to be the second of a new three-fight plan of action.

Hearn would prefer to see boxing’s leading lady become Ireland’s first female two-weight world champion before rematching and then finally facing controversial seven-weight world champion Serrano.

The promoter who works with Sky Sports and American streaming service DAZN is targeting a world title at 140lbs for the Ross Enamait-trained former amateur trailblazer and wants a one of the light welterweight champions next.

“I had a meeting yesterday with Brian Taylor, Katie’s manager. We’ve reached out to Delfine Persoon’s team to see about a rematch, it’s definitely a fight Katie wants, whether that’s next or the one after,” Hearn told Yahoo Sports.

“I think now it’s about setting new targets for her; she’s become an undisputed champion at lightweight so what’s next?”

“Probably becoming an undisputed champion at 140 pounds,” he continued, answering his own question.

“But everybody wants to see the Persoon rematch. Amanda Serrano is a great fight that everyone is talking about as well, so I really think maybe a title at 140 then Delfine Persoon and Amanda Serrano. They’re the sort of the next three fights for Katie Taylor.”

It’s bad news for the likes of unbeaten Spaniard Miriam Gutierrez, who is mandatory for Taylor’s WBA title and as well as Chantelle Cameron and Anisha Basheel who will battle out in a lightweight WBC final eliminator this weekend.

However, good news for former Taylor foes Jessica McCaskill, who holds two the WBA and WBC light welterweight straps, and V|ictoria Bustos who has the IBF equivalent. Then there Christina Linardatou of Greece, who defeated DDP promotions DeeDee Hobbs to retain the WBO world title at 140lbs.

Of these, perhaps, McCaskill is the most likely having won and unified world titles on Matchroom cards over the past 12 months.

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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