Joshua vs Takam: Natasha Jonas expects Ireland's Katie Taylor to land WBA world title
Tuesday 24 October 2017 16:35, UK
Natasha Jonas is convinced former amateur foe Katie Taylor will become Ireland’s first female boxing world champion on Saturday night.
Irish sensation Taylor has dazzled in the paid ranks since her professional debut 11 months ago. The Bray boxer has won all six of her pro contests, with four of those wins coming inside the distance.
Taylor faces what appears to be the toughest test of her career when she meets two-weight world champion Anahi Sanchez (17-2-0) for the WBA lightweight title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Carlos Takam in Cardiff, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
But Jonas, who lost a thrilling quarter-final bout with Taylor during the London 2012 Olympics, is convinced the fighting pride of Ireland will become a world champion in just her seventh professional outing.
"I think she's odds-on to win," Jonas told Tuesday's Sportswomen show on Sky Sports News HQ.
"I think we'll see the same Katie, fast, explosive, good combinations, and I think she gets it done easily.
"It [the fight will be] good for women's boxing, the growth of the sport and [especially] for young women to see it and get involved."
The prospect of a rematch between amateur rivals Jonas and Taylor in the paid ranks has been a constant talking point since Jonas turned professional six months ago.
"I think it's one of those questions that won't go away," said Jonas, who has dropped down to super-featherweight.
"Maybe Katie is [a fight for me] down the line, but technically we are not in the same weight division so there is still a long way to go.
"Every sport needs a rivalry and I think the rivalry is there. That's why people are so interested to see how our journeys progress but she's doing her thing, she's got her world title shot and I've got to step up my game and do the same."
Watch Anahi Sanchez vs Katie Taylor on the Joshua vs Takam undercard, from the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book via your Sky remote or online.
