Katie Taylor said she is hating all the build-up towards her undisputed super lightweight title fight with Chantelle Cameron and instead is solely focused on the fight.
The 37-year-old from Bray, Co. Wicklow has never been comfortable during media days and has always reiterated that her focus is always on fighting.
Taylor suffered the first loss of her professional career back in May when she finally got her first chance to fight on home soil at the 3Arena in Dublin. Her maiden appearance at home was one of unfamiliarity as Cameron- a tough and accomplished champion from Northampton- recorded her 18th straight victory after a gruelling fight.
Following the deflating defeat, Taylor immediately requested a rematch clause from Eddie Hearn and on Saturday night the pair will go head-to-head again in a bid to become the undisputed super lightweight champion.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking during Thursday’s press conference, Taylor said: “I didn’t get things going my way the last time and this is a must-win fight for me, it’s all business this week for me.
“It’s certainly very different this week than it was the last time, so I’m just excited to step in there.
“I just didn’t feel myself (during the first fight with Cameron), I think everybody who’s watched the fight knew I wasn’t myself on the night. It’s just a bit of a flat performance really, just one of those nights.
“No other fight made sense for me, after that last fight straight away we said we wanted a rematch and thank God I had this opportunity for a rematch now, not every fighter has this opportunity.
“I’m so grateful and have a chance to rectify things on Saturday night, I can’t wait.
“I think when I’m at my best nobody can beat me, that’s it. “I hate all these press conferences, there’s nothing to say. The only people I listen to are my team, my family, the people I trust.”
Taylor has been a custodian for women’s boxing since she made her professional debut seven years ago. Should she win, reports and rumours suggest that Taylor may sign off her illustrious career with a fight at Croke Park.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe prospect of retirement was in the rumour mill should Taylor lose again, but she put those whispers to bed during the week when asked about the prospect of hanging up her gloves, stating: “Don’t insult me.”
Throughout the entire fight week, we have seen a new side to Taylor. Her determination and focus is more dialled in than ever and that is a testament to the problems that Cameron posed to her back in May.
Taylor has never faced adversity like that before in her career and will be looking to banish those demons on Saturday in front of her beloved Irish crowd.
