Katie Taylor Bumping Up Against WBO Rules!
On September 17, Matchroom Boxing announced that unified/undisputed Women’s Lightweight World Champion Katie Taylor (14-0, 6 KO’s) is moving up in weight to challenge WBO Super Lightweight champion Christina Linardatou (12-1, 6 KO’s) at the Manchester Arena on November 2.
Taylor’s decision to move up in weight came as a bit of a surprise. It’s not as if there is a shortage of other high profile fights to pursue. Noted match-ups would be against the likes of World WBO and interim WBC Featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, or a rematch with former WBC World Lightweight champ Delfine Persoon,
Furthermore, the decision to move up to the 140-pound division begs to know how that affects her current status as undisputed Lightweight champion of the world? As the known WBO rules stand, the move could jeopardize Taylor’s status as queen of the lightweight division.
Because of this lingering question, 3KingsBoxing reached out to John Duggan, Esq. The first Vice President of the WBO Executive Members committee would clarify the situation with yours truly.
“According to WBO World Championship Rule 5(b), no WBO Champion may hold titles in more than one Weight Division. If a Champion wins a WBO Championship in a higher or lower division, the Champion shall have Ten (10) Days to determine which Weight Division the Champion will retain. The other Weight Division will be declared vacant.”
In short, should Taylor defeat Linardatou and win the WBO Super Lightweight title, a decision will be at hand. She will have ten days to decide which divisional titles to vacate. Taylor cannot be the WBO Women’s world champion at lightweight and super lightweight simultaneously.
This significantly raises the stakes for Katie Taylor on November 2. First and foremost, she is attempting to become a two-weight champion.
Moreover, should Taylor win, she has a big decision to make. Will she stay at 140 or will she move back down to lightweight to preserve her status as the world lightweight queen? It will be an interesting decision for Taylor to make indeed.
That is, if she were to win.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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