Lord of the Dance
Katie Taylor: 'It's a dream to fight on same card as Mike Tyson'
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Katie Taylor: 'It's a dream to fight on same card as Mike Tyson'

Ireland's boxing phenom, Katie Taylor, has claimed that it is a dream to feature on the same card as boxing legend Mike Tyson.

YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul will take on former heavyweight champion and boxing legend Tyson in the headline event, but for Taylor, she will see a dream come true.

Taylor, who bested Serrano two years ago in Madison Square Garden, will also fight at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Explaining what it means to meet Tyson, Taylor said, "I got a phone call from my manager a few weeks ago saying I'm going on the same card as Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. This is a dream for me," she said this week

"The last time Amanda and I fought, it was an incredible fight. We get to do it again; it's amazing for the sport, live on Netflix. Thank you to Netflix; this is iconic.

"The last year, my family said, 'Is there anything I want to do before I retire?' One of the things I said was, 'I'd love to meet Mike Tyson,' and here he is beside me.

"He's just a legend and an icon of the sport. I grew up and fell in love with the sport in the 90s, and Mike Tyson was the biggest name in boxing during that time. He was ferocious, just super-excited to watch."

In their 2022 clash, Taylor emerged victorious over the Puerto Rican, successfully defending her undisputed lightweight (135lb) title. They will now fight at 140 pounds.

Taylor expressed confidence in the new weight class, saying she feels "really good at this weight." Serrano, on the other hand, offered a different view.

“Listen, everyone knows I’m the unified featherweight champion. I’ve said it many times: anything over that [weight], it’s hard for me. Obviously [at] 135, I didn’t get the win against Katie, but for the opportunity to fight Katie Taylor [again], I took the fight [at] 140. Her team said, 'You’ve got to do it at 140.'

“I really want the fight. The fight is for the fans, so greatness requires sacrifice. So once again, I’m sacrificing my body. I’m sacrificing everything to go up three divisions. The last time, it was in two divisions. I believe I won."