Katie Taylor’s bid to become Ireland’s latest boxing world champion will go ahead as planned despite her opponent missing weight ahead of Saturday’s world title clash in Cardiff.
The heavily favoured Taylor (6-0) will bid to become the new WBA lightweight champion with a win against Anahi Esther Sanchez (17-2) on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defence opposite Carlos Takam. Taylor successfully made weight early on Friday, however Sanchez tipped the scales at one pound over the 132-pound limit.
Taylor weighed one pound under the weight limit.
The Argentine was given two hours to shed the extra pound but could only manage half of that amount. As a result, even if Sanchez scores the upset victory against Taylor she will not be eligible to claim the title. Taylor, considered to be one of the finest athletes Ireland has ever produced, will win the WBA belt if she is successful in Wales on Saturday evening.
Speaking after the weigh-in, Taylor said: “It doesn’t bother me. I’ve completely focused on my performance. My mind is purely on the fight. It’s up to her to get the weight off. Tomorrow evening is definitely the biggest night of my career.”
