The same question is constantly asked about Katie Taylor.
Whenever Katie Taylor fights (and inevitably wins) everyone wants to know what’s next for the Irish Olympic heroine.
Fortunately, the pride of Bray already had her next fight booked before her successful defence of the IBF and WBA belts against Kimberly Connor on Saturday night. Taylor will take on former WBO featherweight queen Cindy Serrano in Chicago on October 6.
There are still two world lightweight belts left for Taylor to compete for. At the time of writing, 13-0 Rose Volante holds the WBO strap while 41-1 Belgian Delfine Persoon is the WBC titleholder. However, there aren’t many, if any, money fights for Taylor. That’s why former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and former light welterweight boxing champion Holly Holm is always being brought up as a potential opponent for Taylor.
Katie Taylor 👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/r9MaCNnZ8A
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 28, 2018
Olympian vs Olympian?
One active boxer who has been eyeing up a bout against Taylor is Mikaela Mayer. The 28-year-old fought in the same amateur weight class as Taylor but missed competing against her at the Rio Olympic games. The 5-0 prospect is highly rated and has trained extensively with a man Taylor will be very familiar with, Irish boxing guru Billy Walsh.
In November, Mayer claimed that a fight with Taylor in the pro ranks was inevitable.
“Definitely; it’s going to happen. I couldn’t tell you win but I hope it happens at the right time and when the world is watching… that’s what I feel is important, that the timing is right because we need it. Women’s boxing needs a big fight like that.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfqp4iBA7jJ/?taken-by=mikaelamayer
Changing things up
However, Mayer’s recent move suggests that she’s ready to wait for the right moment to fight Taylor. She announced on Twitter that she is dropping down from lightweight to super featherweight for her next fight.
Mayer explained that she decided to drop down because of the ease at which she can make the weight. She admitted wanting to claim the titles at super featherweight before moving back up to lightweight to contest for belts there. Her reasoning, contesting for a belt while being a world champion of another division would result in a bigger payday.
Going down to 130 for this next fight. Just a warning for the girls in the super featherweight division to step their game up. @trboxing @espn #boxing pic.twitter.com/ofIgpopJyx
— Mikaela Mayer (@MikaelaMayer1) July 27, 2018
I’m going to 135 don’t worry. Just getting the belts at 130 first because 1. I can make the weight so why not take the division
2. So I can go into the 135 lb division as a champ
THATS where the money is. 💯🤘🏼 https://t.co/REDJkOJqSk— Mikaela Mayer (@MikaelaMayer1) July 28, 2018
It’s an ambitious move, but it could prove to be a very clever one.
