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Jessica McCaskill surveying options after World Title win


Jessica McCaskill [6(3)-2(0)] wants a Katie Taylor rematch but the American is in no rush.

The Chicago puncher was outpointed by Taylor in a WBA lightweight title challenge last December at the York Hall in what remains the Bray boxer’s tougest bout to date.

Since then Taylor [11(6)-0] has unified, picking up the IBF belt, but McCaskill did not return to the ring until earlier this month.

When she did return, at the Wintrust Arena in her home city, McCaskill took a short-notice step-up to light welterweight where she took on and dethroning WBC champion Erica Anabella Farias.

After her points win over the Argentine, and a world title belt aroun her belt, many have noted that McCaskill represents a potential opponent for Taylor.

However, Team McCakill admit that they would prefer unifications and building up their bargaining power before going into a second Taylor fight.

Manager and coach Ric Ramos told the 2-Min Round podcast that “we can fight the other Argentinean girl, [Ana Laura] Esteche.  She has the WBO, we would love to fight her and get two belts in the weight class and then have Katie come up.”

“I think Katie’s plan is to come up eventually. That would be a phenomenal fight for female boxing, a rematch with Katie Taylor.”

McCaskill herself is keen on a Taylor rematch and the 34-year-old stated that “I would definitely be interested in a Katie Taylor fight at either weight.”

“People usually ask me what I took away from that fight I think we did a great job in preparing for that fight and executing things we wanted to.  We came away from a loss but we rocked her a couple of times and I think we gave her a really good fight.”

“Any loss is considered the one that got away but Katie Taylor is still somebody that is on the radar.”

katie taylor punches jessica mccaskill

Another short-term possibility is a rematch with Farias, who McCaskill defeated with scores of 98-92, 97-92, and 96-94.

Ramos explained that “Erica does have an exercise clause with us, she wasn’t too happy about coming to Chicago and defending her belt so we don’t know if she is going to exercise her right to a rematch.”

“We’ll see what happens, if she decides to take it obviously it will be different. I think we will just jump on her right away and try to be the first one to stop her. If she doesn’t, there are other names out there.”

McCaskill, who is working with Taylor’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is flexible, and Ramos outlined how “we can go back down to 135, it depends.”

“We won the title so I feel we hit out target. Our goal is not necessarily keep the title, we did it, it was a goal and we hit it.”

“There are money fights out there, there are bigger opportunities.”

“135, 140, 147, there is a lot of fights,” he added before name-dropping two potential Taylor foes.

“[Amanda] Serrano is interesting; I would love to have that conversation with Lou DiBella about Serrano. That would be a good fight, I think that would be a fight that would turn us on and turn on the boxing public.”

“This might sound crazy but we would even think about looking at Cecilia (Braekhus). I think Cecilia is extremely beatable.  If her fight against Kali Reis was two more rounds, Cecilia might have been out of there.”

“If we would get an opportunity like that, we would just jump on Cecilia.  I think Jessica’s style would be too much for Cecilia.”

Both Braekhus and Serrano have expressed their desire for a Taylor fight over the past few days – although Serrano looks the more likely.

The Wicklow world champ dominated Cindy Serrano, elder sister of Amanda, on Saturday in Boston and is now preparing for a December date.

taylor serrano

A clash with Amanda is being built up but this would probably be in 2019, with WBO lightweight champion Rose Volante being the December target.

Listen to Ric Ramos and Jessica McCaskill on the 2-Min Round podcast in full here.

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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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