Michael Bolton
Katie Taylor says retirement has never entered her mind after she defeated Chantelle Cameron in her last fight.
Taylor bounced back from her first defeat in professional boxing to defeat Cameron in the 3Arena last November to become the undisputed super-lightweight champion.
Having added another title to her name in front of her home crowd, many people questioned what else Taylor had left to accomplish in the sport.
However, speaking to breakingnews.ie ahead of her highly anticipated rematch against Amanda Serrano, Taylor says retirement was never on her radar.
"It was never on my radar to retire after that fight, I at least have to have the trilogy with Chantelle to retire.
"I still have so much left to give to the sport, and I am so glad I did not hang up my gloves, because here I am getting ready for another huge fight.
"This is probably the biggest fight in my career so far."
Taylor and Serrano first fought in April 2022, which the Bray boxer won via split-decision in Madison Square Garden as Taylor retained her lightweight belts.
Serrano, who was undisputed featherweight champion, is once again stepping up in weight to 138 pounds. While Tayor has always competed at a higher weight, she does not believe it will make a huge difference in the fight.
"I think we're probably the same size to be honest.
"The fight has actually been made at 138, it's a catchweight, but I think if you look at myself and Serrano we're the same size. I could make 126lbs as well if I tried. I don't think she's looked too well at that weight for the last few fights.
"She looks drained for making that weight so I don't know if it's any advantage or not, but I certainly feel good at this weight, I feel strong at this weight."
After years of hoping for the former Olympic champion to fight in Ireland, boxing fans got to see Taylor fight twice in the 3Arena in 2023.
May 2023 was the first defeat she suffered in her professional career, but Taylor wasted no time in preparations for the rematch against Cameron, who she defeated just over a year ago.
Dealing with defeat is something the Wicklow woman is not used to, but says she did not feel sorry for herself.
"It is never easy going through any losses, but I think I am a very mentally strong person, so I never really feel sorry for myself for too long.
"I just get back to the gym and start training again. The fight was on the Saturday night, I took the Sunday off and I was back in the gym on the Monday.
"After those losses, you are forced to analyse things a little bit more. You definitely come away learning so much about yourself, and learning about I need to change and what I need to do differently.
"It is after those big losses and defeats and disappointing moments that you do learn so much about yourself. It is not a big deal to go through those things, just get up and get on with things.
"I definitely feel like I am a better fighter because of that."
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is the co-main event of Jake Paul v Mike Tyson on November 15th of in the AT & T Stadium in Texas.
