Katie Taylor, will enter the 2024 season with a revised championship status, having relinquished at least two of her titles. The decision follows a delayed process initiated by the WBO, which requested Taylor to clarify her weight division preference, prompting her to relinquish titles in order to comply with regulations.
Caroline Dubois and Rhiannon Dixon have been mandated to negotiate a vacant IBF lightweight title fight, while the WBO is yet to announce plans for the vacant lightweight title.
Taylor, who previously held undisputed championship status in both lightweight and junior welterweight divisions, is now focused on defending her fully unified junior welterweight crown. She currently retains the WBA and WBC titles in both weight classes and has not received directives from other sanctioning bodies regarding her title defenses.
Taylor's transition to a two-division undisputed champion was solidified by her victory over England’s Chantelle Cameron last November 25 at Dublin's 3Arena, avenging her sole career defeat. However, her simultaneous control of two weight divisions violated the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, prompting the recent changes.
This is not the first time Taylor has faced such a decision. Following her win over Christina Linardatou for the WBO junior welterweight title in November 2019, Taylor vacated the 140-pound belt to focus on her lightweight championship reign.
Taylor's decision to maintain her unified 140-pound crown has sparked speculation of a potential rematch with Cameron, with both fighters expressing interest in a showdown. Taylor has publicly requested the bout to take place at Croke Park to accommodate high demand.
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