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McCaskill will give Taylor two-weight world champ chance – but coach warns she will be stopped

Former foe Jessica McCaskill would have no issue giving Katie Taylor the chance to become two-weight world champion in October according to her coach and manager Rick Ramos.

McCaskill’s name has been mentioned in the press ever since Eddie Hearn outlined a three-fight plan that had Taylor potentially moving up in weight in October to challenge for a world title at 140lbs before rematching Delfine Persoon and then fighting controversial seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano.

Since her December 2017 WBA lightweight world title defeat to the Bray fighter the 34-year-old has become aligned with Matchroom and impressed en-route to becoming a unified world champion at light welterweight.

The Chicago-based puncher claimed the WBC strap by beating Erica Anabella Farias in her very next fight before unifying and adding the WBA title to her collection with victory over another former Taylor foe Anahi Esther Sanchez in her very next fight. 

As the most high profile of light welterweight champions and indeed one of the bigger female names operating at the present time, McCaskill is certainly a viable option for the undisputed 135lbs champ.

The fact the Rick Ramos-managed and -trained fighter gave Taylor her toughest fight outside of Delfine Persoon back in Decmber 2017 and has two world titles to put on the line also makes the fight an easy sell.

However, whilst there is faint rumour of an October Chicago-hosted bill topped by the pair, there have also been suggestions Taylor may pursue the other champions and leave her Matchroom stablemate for a second undisputed fight further down the line.

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com today, Ramos revealed they are happy to have the fight now, but warned any rematch wouldn’t go to points.

He also confirmed he is unaware of any approach from Eddie Hearn with regard to making the clash.

“I have not heard anything from Warriors Promotions, our co-promoter, or Eddie Hearn [regarding the fight],” said Ramos before suggesting McCaskill would put aside her own unification fight for a big money match up with the London 2012 Olympic gold medal winner.

“Being undisputed would lock Jessica into the female boxing hall of fame. That is something I would like to deliver for her. However, a rematch with Katie Taylor is a big money fight and Jessica has a much better chance this time then she did in the first fight.”

“Yes, [it would interest us]. I think Jessica and I have always had our eyes on a rematch. This would be a great fight for women’s boxing.”

Ramos is confident if the fight was to made the current #1 light welterweight in the world would avenge her London defeat.

McCaskill has gone on to unify at light welterweight
McCaskill has gone on to unify at light welterweight

The coach claims his charge has improved while Taylor hasn’t and also claims if Taylor couldn’t put a dent in the aggressive fighter at the lower weight she has no hope if she were to move up.

“Katie couldn’t hurt Jessica at 135lbs and I know she can’t at 140lbs. Jessica has improved on many levels and I don’t think Katie has. Katie is exactly the same fighter who throws the same three or four same combinations,” he adds before suggesting McCaskill would employ a Persoon-style approach.

“I see this fights looking much like the Persoon fight – tough and close. This is a perfect time for us and we will take advance of the opportunity. We don’t plan on leaving it in the hands of the judges this time.”

Reflecting on the Persoon clash last month, the coach also revealed he scored a bout he wanted Taylor to win a draw.

“I was rooting for Katie for obvious reasons. I think it was a tough fight for Katie and I had it a draw.”

dpg

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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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