Katie Taylor’s quest to be unified/undisputed champion
On March 15, IBF/WBA Women’s Lightweight champion Katie Taylor faces off against WBO lightweight women’s champion Rose Volante in Philadelphia. This unification bout will be significant for its own sake, as well as what it could lead to going forward.
Taylor (12-0, 5KO) vs Volante (14-0, 8KO) is a stylistic one. The smooth boxing Irish against the aggressive Brazilian who can punch.
Katie Taylor
Taylor has been a known quantity in Women’s boxing going back to her amateur days. Under the guidance of promoter Eddie Hearn, Taylor has been on a fast rise to the top from the beginning of her career due to her undeniable talent.
As a mainstay on both Matchroom and DAZN boxing cards, she is one of the world’s more popular female fighters. Not only that, she’s considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in women’s boxing.
For her part, Volante has fought in relative anonymity and obscurity. While she is the undefeated WBO champion, she has fought all but one of her professional bouts in her native Brazil.
What’s on the Line?
For the Irish fighter, the ramifications are huge! Her mission is to capture all four would titles to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. A win here would mean one step closer to that ultimate goal.
WBC champion Delfine Persoon (43-1, 18KO) defended her title March 9 in her native Belgium; defeating Melissa St. Vil by 7th round TKO. It’s anticipated if Taylor is victorious, that would set up a fight against Persoon on June 1 on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s bout against Jarrell Miller.
Persoon is also regarded as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and a showdown between her and Taylor would no doubt be considered a super-fight in women’s boxing; equivalent to the upcoming women’s Middleweight unification between Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer April 13.
Fight Prediction
Based on video 3KingsBoxing has seen of Volante, she is one of the best fighters that Katie Taylor will face so far in her career. However, in spite of the aggression and solid punch she brings to the table, it will not be enough to win here.
The difference is the hand and foot speed of Taylor, who will be able to move around and avoid punches while creating angles to land shots of her own. In addition, she is the more naturally gifted fighter in terms of pure skill.
Volante is tough and may trouble Taylor in spots, but Katie Taylor will win this fight by decision.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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