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5:17
‘The gap between male and female boxing is closing’
Katie Taylor has warned her undefeated rival Miriam Gutiérrez that “one hit can change a fight” and has vowed to combine skill with fierceness in the ring.
Irish icon Taylor defends her undisputed lightweight championship headlining in a triple title fight for the women’s world title, with Terri Harper and Rachel Ball, on Saturday night live on Sky sports.
“I never get tired of looking at all the belts, it’s something I’ve worked really hard for,” Taylor said.
Katie Taylor vs. Miriam Gutiérrez
“The trip has definitely been more exciting than I expected.
“One punch can change a fight in professional boxing. She is an undefeated fighter and better than people expect.”
“Hopefully, I’ll do a little bit of everything: overcome her and fight her.
“There are no easy fights at this stage. This is a great opportunity for her.
“Complacency is very, very dangerous. I’m ready for whatever comes my way.
“People haven’t seen the best of me.
“Every belt is at stake. She has a lot to fight for. But this is the position I always wanted to be in, defending my titles.
“I am prepared to walk away from the undisputed champion.”
Taylor is a five-time amateur world champion, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, and a winner of all major lightweight championships as well as a super lightweight belt.
She said of making history on Saturday: “It is a privilege to headline such a great show, a historical show.
“When I turned pro, I never thought we would see three women’s world title fights on one show.
“I want to make history and create a legacy, and to do that, you have to be active and take risks.
“We are in this sport to inspire the next generation.
“It is incredible to me that female wrestlers are household names now.”
Terri Harper vs. Katharina Thanderz
Terri Harper will defend her WBC super featherweight title against her mandatory challenger Katharina Thanderz.
Harper has been goaded all week by Mikaela Mayer, the WBO champion in the same division.
Mayer tweeted: “She just isn’t ready to hold that belt.
“Inexperienced champion. Inexperienced and champion do not go hand in hand.
“Boxing is entertainment at the end of the day, so why are we so focused on protecting our record? Let’s party.”
Harper replied, “I’m still as hungry as ever. This is just the beginning for me.
“I want to go out and fight the other champions, the best in my division.”
She joked earlier: “I’ve seen some people on social media say that I can’t box! I’m not doing it wrong for someone who can’t box.
“One mistake we made in the past was looking beyond the coming fight to future plans.”
“The fight I had with Natasha Jonas? I learned a lot.
“That fight was a blessing in disguise that brought me back to reality, slowed me down, made me realize that I needed to make changes and improvements.
“Thanderz will throw the kitchen sink at me, but I have to make sure I’m champion.
“She is very good up front, with a lot of play.
“I need to use my long arms and not get dragged into a mess like I did [against Jonas].
Rachel Ball vs. Jorgelina Guanini
Rachel Ball, an NHS social worker and former kickboxer, is contending for the vacant WBA bantamweight title against current IBF super flyweight champion Jorgelina Guanini.
“It’s a fantastic time to be a part of women’s boxing, now is the time to live up to the hype, to step up and deliver,” said Ball, who upset Shannon Courtenay in their previous fight.
“Every time, expect an action fight.”
Argentine Guanini, who arrived at the press conference with his head freshly shaved, will be at a seven-inch tall disadvantage.
“I have been smaller than all the opponents I have faced,” Guanini said. “I’ve never fought someone as tall as Ball, but I’m willing to.”
Ball replied, “I have a 10-round fight ahead of me, so I won’t be a fool in the first rounds, but I’m not afraid to break it.
“I am a very resilient person, so I don’t think the pressure has affected me [in my last fight]. This time, I am more prepared. “
Ball had previously said, “People will remember these kinds of shows forever. Katie and Terri will go down in history and I hope I will too.”
“People will look back and say, ‘That set a precedent like Jane Couch back in the day.’
“What she did for women’s boxing, I hope we do too.”
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