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Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor and seven-division titleholder Amanda Serrano were set to meet earlier this year, but that fight along with dozens of others was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing even as boxing tries to get moving again in various parts of the world, including the United Kingdom.
The 33-year-old Taylor (15-0, 6 KO) is now set to fight and defend her belts on Aug. 22, part of the Whyte-Povetkin card at Matchroom HQ, but Serrano (38-1-1, 28 KO) looks to be 50/50 at best to be the opponent.
There’s been a whole ordeal involving Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn, Serrano’s promoter Lou DiBella, contracts, supposed contracts, whatever else. Right now, no, Taylor-Serrano is not the fight for Aug. 22.
Taylor’s account Tweeted this out a couple of days ago:
@Serranosisters. We both signed contracts, all financial barriers have been removed and any training/travel issues are the same for both of us as I'm also training in the US. No more excuses, this is a fight to elevate the sport. August 22 is our time to make history. You in?
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) June 28, 2020
Serrano opted not to respond to that, which is reasonable, and is letting the situation play out with her team handling things. This fight might happen Aug. 22. I said 50/50 before, and that might seem optimistic, but the whole thing is such a jumble that it’s hard to get a real read on this.
That said, Hearn has reportedly been proactive about it not happening — though like Taylor, he wants it to go ahead in August. If it doesn’t, though, Hearn tells Sky Sports he has “reached out” to Delfine Persoon to possible face Taylor instead.
Taylor and Persoon (44-2, 18 KO) had a fantastic fight in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden, which ended in a controversial majority decision win for Taylor, making her the undisputed lightweight champion. The 35-year-old Persoon has fought once since then, beating Helen Joseph last November in Belgium.
And, for what it’s worth, Chantelle Cameron (12-0, 7 KO) has also said she’s up to take the date with Taylor:
There’s a mandatory challenger at two weights right here, waiting in England so no problems with travel or training. If Serrano don’t want the fight I’ll happily step up for August 22nd. Would be an honour to share the ring with @KatieTaylor @EddieHearn @MTKGlobal
— Chantelle Cameron (@chantellecam) June 29, 2020
The 29-year-old Cameron is, indeed, a mandatory challenger with the WBC at both 135 and 140. Taylor, of course, has the 135-pound belt, while Jessica McCaskill has the WBC 140-pound belt. McCaskill is busy with a shot at Cecilia Braekhus in August, so this could be a big opening for Cameron if Serrano doesn’t come to terms and Persoon maybe doesn’t either. Cameron has faced Taylor, but it was years ago in the amateur ranks.