Katie Taylor Headlines WBA lightweight belt defence against Jessica McCaskill on December 13th – LIVE on Sky Sports – by Michael O’Neill

(NOV 14) Recently crowned WBA Lightweight champion Katie Taylor makes her first title defence against Jessica McCaskill of the United States at the iconic York Hall in London on December 13th it was confirmed by promoter Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn this morning.

Photo credit:  SkySports

The bout will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and in good news for women’s boxing Taylor will headline the show, a rare occasion for women’s boxing in the United Kingdom.

Should Taylor win there are plans for further defences in the United States early in 2018 and in Dublin in the Spring time

The American known as ‘CasKILLA’ and her coach Rick Ramos have been ‘calling out’ Taylor for a fight for many months now and this bout comes as no surprise though arguably it was not expected so soon after Taylor taking the title against Anahi Sanchez at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff on October 31st, in only her seventh Pro bout.

Hardly surprisingly Jessica McCaskill is looking forward to the fight saying that:
“This is going to be a great fight, something you won’t be able to take your eyes off.”

Katie Taylor commented: “It’s fantastic, a great opportunity and I have to thank Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports for this,” the Bray woman told Sky Sports News’ “Sportswomen” programme..

“It’s been a great year for me and this is definitely a great end to it, to fight a great fighter. It’s very exciting for me. I expect a tough, tough fight. She’s meant to be a very good opponent and I am expecting a tough challenge.

“I am so excited about headlining my first show as a professional boxer and my mindset will stay the same going into this one. I prepare meticulously for every single fight and this fight is no different, so I can’t wait to go in there and perform.”

Chicago-based McCaskill has been calling out Taylor since the latter entered the Pro ranks.

Although the 33-year-old has one less fight than Taylor as a professional but with American Golden Gloves successes as an amateur behind her, desperately hopes to bring the WBA lightweight title back home.

“It’s been difficult getting fights since I was an amateur, but I am definitely happy to travel,” she said.

“I have a lot of respect for this sport and for Katie Taylor, but I will be bringing that belt and that respect back to the US with me.

“I want to be known as the No 1 in America, and of course the world title is definitely the goal. This is going to be a great fight, something you won’t be able to take your eyes off.”

Sky Sports tells us that : “A stacked undercard of talented Brits are set to support Taylor’s defence. Unbeaten super-featherweight talent Martin J Ward can add another title to his impressive collection as he faces former champion Juli Giner for the vacant European title.

Light-heavyweights Jake Ball and Miles Shinkwin will meet in a tasty contest while Birmingham’s super-bantamweight talent Gamal Yafai looks to extend his unbeaten record. Future cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain look to further stoke the fire for a 2018 clash. Team GB Rio Olympian Joe Cordina will be in action for the sixth time in the paid ranks.