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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Katie Taylor accused of going on a 'celebrity tour' by boxing rival Jessica McCaskill

Katie Taylor has been accused of going on a "celebrity tour" after the latest defence of her lightweight titles was announced on Wednesday.

The Bray boxer will take on American Jennifer Han on September 4 at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

But the news was met with anger by the team of Jessica McCaskill who have been gunning for a fight with Taylor for some time.

McCaskill's manager Rick Ramos fumed: “I don’t think Katie Taylor should be fighting this Han girl.

“Clearly, Matchroom is doing a celebrity tour with Katie. It’s a bit ridiculous.

"We would have fought her in Leeds in September. We would have fought her anywhere. We feel like we can beat her up above 142lbs."

Taylor lands a punch on McCaskill in 2017 (Action Plus)

He told Irish-Boxing.com: “Katie isn’t our number one target, not anymore. What happened to the four-women tournament? Taylor, [Amanda] Serrano, McCaskill, and Brækhus?

"We honoured our word and fought everyone we said we would fight and we beat them! I just want someone to honour their word.”

Taylor and McCaskill first fought in December 2017, with Taylor winning by unanimous decision in London.

Since then McCaskill has racked up a five-fight winning sequence, including two victories over previously unbeaten Cecilia Braekhaus at welterweight.

But the latest snub has Ramos convinced that Team Taylor are avoiding a rematch between the pair.

“I would not argue with the Irish fans [that say Taylor has had tough fights and earned a mandatory]. I agree. Katie has fought tough in some, not all, of her fights. I think the number one thing that bothers me is no phone call from Eddie or Matchroom.

“Jessica and I feel completely disrespected and we feel like no one communicates with us. We shouldn’t have to hear about things on social media first.

"The only reason why they’re accepting this mandatory is because it’s a free win. If she was a threat they would have moved up a weight class.”

He added: “I feel like Eddie, Matchroom and DAZN always dangle ‘Taylor vs McCaskill 2’ over our heads. At this point we know Katie doesn’t want to fight. It’s fine. It’s time for us to move on.

"Everyone from Matchroom has said a lot of things on social media, on camera and behind closed doors [but] I don’t know what is going on.”

“Matchroom haven’t been in touch. Nothing at all. I have only received messages saying they will reach out soon.

This isn’t how a promoter should treat an undisputed champion or anyone who works with them.”

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