Katie Taylor is ready to create more history when she takes on Christina Linardatou in Manchester on Saturday.
The Bray woman is bidding to become a two-weight world champion after becoming the first Irish boxer to unify a weight division with her lightweight victory over Delfine Persoon in June.
Now she is the headline act at the Manchester Arena as the 33-year-old looks to dethrone WBO Super-Lightweight title holder Linardatou.
Taylor said ahead of the fight: “This is a huge opportunity for me to become a two-weight World Champion and I’m ready to create more history for myself and my country.
“I’m very aware of the challenge that Christina brings. I do believe that she’s the best 140lbs in the division and I cannot wait for a very exciting and hard fight.
“It’s a new challenge moving up in weight, I’ve worked very hard in the gym to build up. You’ll see the very best of me and I’ll need to be on my game because I think Linardatou is the number one at 140lbs and she’s had some great wins in her career.
“It’s going to be a huge 12 months for me, but I have to get past Christina first. I only take one fight at a time and my focus is completely on this one. She brings a lot to the table and I’m very aware of the challenge. She is an excellent World Champion and it’s going to be a big test for me but one that I’m confident of overcoming.
“There are still so many huge fights out there for me like the Amanda Serrano fight, a rematch with Delfine Persoon and a fight with new Matchroom signing Cecilia Brækhus, but the first goal is November 2nd and winning another World title.”
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