Katie Taylor says moving up in weight to face Chantelle Cameron has been ‘psychologically better’ for her as she can ‘eat what she wants’ and ‘focus on the fight’ instead of worrying about making weight.
Taylor will look to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight category on her Irish homecoming as she challenges Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on May 20.
Taylor (22-0, 6KOs) was initially meant to defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles on the same date in a rematch against Amanda Serrano but the Puerto Rican was ruled out due to injury.
Therefore, the Bray Bomber will step up to light-welterweight and challenge Cameron (17-0, 8KOs) for the Northampton fighter’s four world titles at the 3Arena next weekend.
Taylor says she feels ‘very comfortable’ at light-welterweight and insists she is ‘confident’ in her ‘strength’ despite the fact Cameron is ‘slightly bigger’ than her.
![Taylor says moving up in weight to face Chantelle Cameron has been 'psychologically better'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70823865-12068909-image-a-8_1683732468789.jpg)
Taylor says moving up in weight to face Chantelle Cameron has been ‘psychologically better’
![Taylor will look to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight category on her Irish homecoming as she challenges Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on May 20](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70823885-12068909-image-a-9_1683732490754.jpg)
Taylor will look to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight category on her Irish homecoming as she challenges Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on May 20
Speaking about her change in opponent, Taylor said: ‘Things have been pretty much the same for me. Things have maybe been psychologically better for me going up in weight because I don’t have to worry about actually making weight.
‘I can eat what I want and focus on the actual fight. So, I feel very, very comfortable at this weight. I feel strong at this weight as well. I don’t think there is much of a difference between the Lightweight division and the light-welterweight division.’
Taylor went on to add: ‘She [Chantelle Cameron] is probably a bit bigger than me but not too much so I am very, very comfortable at this weight.’
Taylor’s fight with Cameron as been dubbed as the Bray Bomber’s ‘homecoming’. The 36-year-old boxer has not yet had a professional fight in Dublin despite being one of the most successful Irish athletes in history.
Taylor had been talking about fighting in Dublin for years but struggled to secure a bout in the Irish capital… until now. Eddie Hearn has successfully organised a Matchroom event at the 3Arena on May 20 and fans couldn’t be more excited.
Taylor is adamant she can handle the pressure of fighting on home soil. She said she’s got the ‘experience’ needed to fight ‘on these big occasions’ and that ‘there is pressure in every single fight’ she does.
Taylor said: ‘I guess there is pressure in every single fight but obviously there is bit more added pressure boxing at home in front of your home crowd but I have the experience of fighting in these big occasions.
‘I have the experience of fighting when there is a lot of pressure on my shoulders so I don’t really see it as anything too outrageous compared to what I have experienced before.
![Taylor was initially meant to defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles on the same date in a rematch against Amanda Serrano but the Puerto Rican was ruled out due to injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70825335-12068909-image-a-17_1683734232840.jpg)
Taylor was initially meant to defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles on the same date in a rematch against Amanda Serrano but the Puerto Rican was ruled out due to injury
![Taylor beat Serrano by split decision last year to remain the undisputed lightweight champion of the world and retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles in New York](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70825339-12068909-image-a-18_1683734239230.jpg)
Taylor beat Serrano by split decision last year to remain the undisputed lightweight champion of the world and retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles in New York
‘Every time I step into the ring there is a lot of pressure on me so I’m just getting on with things. I am looking forward to the fight and I am excited about the fight so I’m not really feeling the burden or the pressure at the moment.
‘I am just excited to step in there and fight at home. This is a huge occasion for me and I am just delighted to actually have a chance to fight at home in front of the home crowd.
‘A few years ago I didn’t think this was ever going to happen so I am just so excited and so delighted about it.’
When asked whether she would be required to spend more time than usual doing extra media events and guest appearances given it’s her home nation, Taylor: ‘Fight week is always a busy week.
‘I don’t think about it too much I just take everything in my stride and take it day by day so I don’t get too overwhelmed by what’s going on outside.
‘I have a focus and that focus is actually on the fight itself on May 20. That’s all I am really concerned about. Other than that, I will take it day-by-day and take everything in my stride.’
Taylor was initially meant to defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles in a rematch against Serrano after their iconic bout in Madison Square Garden last year.
However, Taylor’s homecoming was on the verge of collapse when Serrano revealed she had picked up an injury.
![Taylor's homecoming was on the verge of collapse when Serrano revealed she had picked up an injury. Thankfully, Cameron agreed to face Taylor instead - as long she stepped up in weight](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70825343-12068909-image-a-19_1683734241972.jpg)
Taylor’s homecoming was on the verge of collapse when Serrano revealed she had picked up an injury. Thankfully, Cameron agreed to face Taylor instead – as long she stepped up in weight
Thankfully, Cameron agreed to face Taylor instead – as long as the Bray Bomber stepped up to her weight class.
When asked how difficult it was to transition from preparing to face Serrano to suddenly facing Cameron, Taylor said: ‘We always knew that this fight was going to happen.
‘I think I’ve my eye on Chantelle for a few years now. This is a fight that I’ve always wanted myself. To make the adjustment from Amanda Serrano to Chantelle Cameron was a fantastic one.
‘My motivation is as high as ever for this fight. I think it would have been a lot worse if I was going from Amanda Serrano to a mandatory opponent. That would be a fight that I couldn’t really get up for but this is a fight that I am.
‘I am genuinely motivated for it. She is motivated as well and I know that. I am going to have to be at my very, very best to beat her on fight night. People are saying this fight is going to be an even better fight than the Amanda Serrano fight.
![The Irish fans will be out in full force for Taylor's (right) fight at the 3Arena next weekend](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/10/16/70825341-12068909-image-a-20_1683734246923.jpg)
The Irish fans will be out in full force for Taylor’s (right) fight at the 3Arena next weekend
‘So, there is a huge appetite for the fight. I am very excited about it and I am delighted it’s been able to be made.’
When asked what she fears most about her new opponent, Taylor said: ‘I wouldn’t say I fear anything about her. I am obviously aware about the challenge ahead of me.
‘She has a big engine and I am prepared for that. She is big and strong and I am prepared for that as well.
‘I also have a big engine and I am also strong so I wouldn’t say I fear anything about her but I am aware of the challenge ahead of me. I am going to be ready for whatever comes my way on fight night.’