Katie Taylor has described her fight with Cindy Serrano as the “toughest fight” of her career ahead the defence of her WBA and IBF Lightweight titles against the Puerto Rico-native.
Taylor will look to extend her professional record to 11-0 when she attempts to retain her titles against the more experienced Serrano — who is the current WBO champion having fought 35 times over the course of her professional career — in the TD Garden in Boston on Saturday night.
Despite the experience gap, the Bray boxer insists that she is ready for her most difficult opponent to date, saying: “I think it’s going to be my toughest fight to date as a pro. She’s obviously very experienced and a top, seasoned pro. These are the type of fights I relish and that’s why I turned pro 2 years ago so I could be involved in nights like this.
“I’ve had a great training camp and I’m in great shape. It’s a great time for women’s boxing and I feel peoples perceptions of the sport are definitely changing,” Taylor said.
The former Olympic gold medalist also said that she was excited for the Irish presence in Boston, both inside the ring and out.
“I can’t wait, this is like a home from home for me here in Boston and I’m hearing that there’s going to be a great Irish contingent in the TD Garden on Saturday evening,” said Taylor.
“Sharing the card with James Tennyson who is fighting for a world title and then with Niall Kennedy and Sean McComb on the card as well there is going to be a lot of Irish interest.”
On the night, Belfast-native James Tennyson will be fighting for the IBF super featherweight championship against Tenin Farner, while Wicklow Garda and Wexford-native Niall Kennedy will also be fighting on the undercard.
For her part, Serrano said that her fight with Taylor is the kind of opportunity that she has been waiting for, and that it will be a case of let the best woman win.
“Styles make fights, Katie hasn’t fought anyone that has my style. We’re ready, we’re training hard for 10 rounds. I’m in great shape, I’m excited for the fight, I’m hyped and I’m amped,” Serrano said.
Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF World Lightweight titles against Cindy Serrano in the TD Garden in Boston on Saturday night, with the show kicking off on Sky Sports Action at 12am.
