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Mikaela Mayer targets 2019 Katie Taylor fight


Katie Taylor‘s professional boxing career is said to be on the verge of exploding as more and more recognisable opponents come into the frame.

Indeed, this was due to happen on Saturday night in Boston but Cindy Serrano didn’t offer the ambition that many had been expected.

A number of big opponents remain on the horizon and one of these has expressed her desire to fight WBA and IBF lightweight champion Taylor [11(5)-0] in the new year.

American Mikaela Mayer [8(4)-0] has just won her first rankings title at super featherweight and the Top Rank prospect intends to win a world title at 130lbs very soon before moving up and taking on Taylor.

Earlier this month the Colorado-based puncher won the WBC-NABF title, outpointing the previously-undefeated Vanessa Bradford in Omaha – with a huge seventh round knockdown attracting attention.

Now in line for the winner of Eva Wahlstrom’s WBC title defence versus Firuza Sharipova, the Rio Olympian is keen to pick up a belt at super featherweight and then move up to lightweight.

Speaking about a Taylor fight on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Mayer promised that “it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen, it just needs to happen at the right time, because it would be a shame if the world wasn’t watching.”

“It’s too soon now, I’m still able to make 130, she’s fighting at 135.”

“I’m going to take the belts at 130, take that division while I still can, and the, sometime next year, I’ll move up to 135 and start fighting the girls there.”

Taylor’s manager, Brian Peters, and promoter, Eddie Hearn, have both mentioned Mayer’s name on multiple occasions in recent months.

An English-speaking opponent with amateur pedigree, profile, substantial promotional backing – and formerly trained by Irish coach Billy Walsh – Mayer represents a perfect opponent for Taylor.

Taylor presents the biggest fight out there for Mayer – and indeed any fighter around lightweight – and the California 28-year-old is looking forward to the possibility of taking on the Bray boxer.

She outlined how “I think it’ll be great because we’ll both be champs, both have belts, but there’s a lot of other girls too, so we’ll see, we’ll see.”

“It is definitely big, she has a huge following in Europe, a huge following in Ireland. Top Rank is helping me build my following here in the United States.”

“I think it’s going to be an exciting fight.”

Taylor, having beaten Serrano with complete ease, is already back in camp in Vernon, CT, ahead of her next fight in December.

A unification with WBO champ Rose Volante is the target at present, while outspoken six-weight world champ Amanda Serrano is also on the horizon.

After this, however, the rangy Mayer may come into view.

Watch Mikaela Mayer’s interview with Ariel Helwani in full below:

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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