Katie Taylor will see her 2018 out with a fight on one of the biggest cards of the year
Katie Taylor is set to defend her world titles against Eva Wahlstrom at Madison Square Garden on the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Rocky Fielding card.
The undefeated Irish lightweight will put her IBF and WBA lightweight titles on the line against fellow unbeaten fighter, Wahlstrom, in New York on December 15.
Taylor has amassed a record of 11-0 since her professional debut in 2016 but her vastly more experienced opponent may well represent the toughest test of her career.
"Eva is someone I know very well from our time in the amateurs," said Taylor. "I was actually drawn against her in my very first international competition back in 2004 and it seemed like every time I turned up to a major competition after that she was in the draw!
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"She was always a really tough opponent so it's no surprise that she's gone on to have a great professional career. I think this fight will really showcase the best that women's boxing has to offer and I'm really looking forward to it.
"I've been lucky enough to fight in some iconic venues since turning pro two years ago but I'm not sure there's any more iconic in a boxing sense than Madison Square Garden.
"I think every fighter dreams about stepping in the ring there and I'm no different. To get the opportunity to defend my world titles there is really very exciting."
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WBC super-featherweight champion, Wahlstrom, is far from a pushover although she has come undone against Taylor on the amateur stage in the past.
Wahlstrom said: "I have stated for a long time that I am ready and I want to engage in the toughest fights available, this is the ultimate, biggest and toughest fight anywhere and to have it in the legendary Madison Square Garden is a huge honour.
"I lost to Katie a few times in my amateur days but I am sure I won her respect anyway. Now in a 10-round pro fight, it will be a totally different game with all new avenues to avenge those defeats."
