Power-packing Taylor aims to beat up Bustos to unify women’s lightweight division

Kate Taylor

Katie Taylor is gunning to add the IBF lightweight title to her WBA belt when she faces Argentinian Victoria Bustos in New York in April.

The Irishwoman became world champion when she beat Anahi Sanchez on points in October

She then overpowered Jamaican Jessica McCaskill just before Christmas for a successful first title defence.

London Olympic gold medalist Taylor said: “Last year was great but I’m not really one for looking back and it’s all about the next challenge.

“I believe that winning my first world title as a pro is just the start of it, I want to fight all the other champions and unify the lightweight division.

“Bustos is one of the longest reigning champions in women’s boxing so I’m expecting a very tough fight.

“I’ve been back in training camp in Connecticut since the beginning of the month so the hard work has started and I’m excited to have the chance to win another world title.”

Taylor isn’t far wrong about Bustos as she has defended her version of the world title on six occasions although she list an attempt to take the WBC title away from Erica Farias in July 3016.

Their fight will be on the undercard of Daniel Jacobs’ fight against Poland’s Maciej Sulecki in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 28.

Taylor, who turned professional after disappointing at the Rio Olympics two years ago, can’t wait to box again in the Big Apple.

She added: “I got a great reception when I fought there last year so I’m really looking forward to boxing there again.

“It’s a unification fight and the Barclays Center is a fitting venue for a big fight like that.”

Taylor, from Bray in Ireland, has won half of her eight fights by knockout while Bustos is also unbeaten but doesn’t pack the same punch as her rival.

The South American from Rosario, Santa Fe, has won 18 times. She has a slight age advantage on Taylor as she is two years younger at 29 but although she has won 18 of her visits to the ring none of those successes have been inside the distance. She has also lost four times.

Women’s boxing is on a sharp upwards curve and Taylor and Great Britain’s Nicola Adams are in the vanguard as it increasingly gathers momentum.

The fact this is on the undercard if such a big bill only enhances its popularity.

About the Author

Danny Griffiths
A freelance journalist who has worked for local and national newspapers, he has covered boxing across the spectrum including the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand and the 2012 London Olympics. His favourite interviews were lengthy, early morning calls from New York with Paulie Malignaggi... and Mike Tyson.