Undisputed light-welterweight champion Katie Taylor has said retirement is “not really on my radar at all” as she prepares for her much-anticipated rematch with Amanda Serrano.
Two-weight undisputed champion Taylor, 38, has not fought since avenging the only loss of her career against Chantelle Cameron last November.
The Irish fighter beat Serrano by split decision in April 2022 and faces the Puerto Rican again on 15 November in the co-main event of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson’s contest at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
“I take it fight by fight at this stage,” Taylor, who moved up to light-welterweight after beating Serrano, told BBC Sport NI.
“I feel good right now, I feel prepared and ready. I’m putting my body through the trenches again during training camp.
“I know this can’t last forever, I know that I can’t fight for too much longer but I’m feeling in tip-top shape right now.”
‘I’m not going to end my career on a loss’
After edging Serrano on points to retain her undisputed lightweight title in a memorable headline fight at Madison Square Garden, Taylor beat Karen Carabajal before being stunned by English fighter Cameron in Dublin.
But Taylor unequivocally quashed the idea that suffering a second career defeat would send her into retirement.
“I’m not going to end my career on a loss, first of all,” said the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.
“I don’t ever think about losing. I’m stepping into the ring and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win and I’m going to end my career very well, that’s my mindset.
“I’m just feeling great right now and excited to have this opportunity and to fight on the same card as Mike Tyson.
“This is unbelievable, to be on the same card as an icon and legend in the sport, someone everyone in boxing looked up to. I’m expecting a great performance from myself on the night.
Serrano, 36, has bounced back impressively from losing to Taylor in New York, earning a fifth straight win with a ruthless stoppage victory over Stevie Morgan in July.
With Serrano and Taylor’s rematch – originally slated for 20 July – having to be rescheduled after a medical issue forced Tyson to postpone his bout with Paul, the Irishwoman is returning to the ring after her longest absence.
But she insists her humbling loss to Cameron in front of a home crowd has made her a “better fighter”.
“I just feel like I’ve learned so much, I’m a better, smart and more disciplined fighter.
“I think I’ve learned so much, from the Chantelle Cameron loss for example. That’s made me a better fighter.
“You learn from every single fight anyway but I feel like I’ve learned so much over the past two years.”
