Saturday 25 November saw Katie Taylor secure her status as the third boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed two-weight champion. However, it has been revealed that the Bray fighter can only retain one title.
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO), one of the four governing bodies in the sport, has presented Taylor with a deadline to determine whether she will retain the super lightweight (also known as the junior welterweight title in the United States) or the lightweight world belt. The rules of the US-based organization dictate that no WBO champion can simultaneously hold titles in more than one weight division.
Taylor has until Tuesday, 5 December, to make this decision.
Katie Taylor Given Ten-Day Deadline By WBO To Determine Whether To Retain 135 Or 140-Pound Title https://t.co/9tTQa87JX9 pic.twitter.com/TmnEoYTP7t
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) November 27, 2023
This isn't the first time that Taylor has had to deal with this dilemma. After defeating Christina Linardatou to claim the WBO super lightweight belt in her inaugural bout in the 140-pound category in November 2019, Taylor, who already held the WBO lightweight belt, voluntarily gave up the 140-pound title. She continued to compete in the lightweight division until her clash with Chantelle Cameron in May earlier this year.
Following the success of Saturday night, WBO wasted no time in reminding Taylor and her team of their obligations. In a letter addressed to promoter Eddie Hearn and published on the WBO website, Luis Batista-Sales, the chairman of the WBO championship committee, underscored the conditions under which the Taylor-Cameron II fight was sanctioned.
Katie Taylor is World Champion ☘️☘️
pic.twitter.com/KEo7TczV6m— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) November 25, 2023
"If Katie Taylor wins the bout against Cameron, she has up to 10 days thereafter to determine which weight division she will retain. Failure to comply with such conditions will result in the Committee proceeding per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests," the letter stated.
Essentially, the Taylor camp must decide by December 5 whether Katie will continue her career at super lightweight or revert to being a lightweight in terms of her WBO title status.
This decision holds implications for Taylor's next opponent. If her next bout is against Chantelle Cameron, it is likely the camp will opt for the 140 division. However, if it involves a rematch against Amanda Serrano, a return to 135 pounds might be advantageous from a marketing perspective.
Matchroom is expected to engage in negotiations with the WBO, aiming to secure an extension to the December 5 deadline.
