Thursday 24 November 2016 11:02, UK
Katie Taylor makes her professional debut on Saturday night and Johnny Nelson believes she will show the boxing world just how good she is...
Katie Taylor making her professional debut on a big bill is the best thing that could happen to British and Irish boxing.
It is the evolution of the sport and will put women's boxing right up there on these shores and that is what we need.
I can see why she is top of the bill because to me, she is better than a lot of male fighters out there.
Germany and America have been doing it for a while, promoting their best female fighters, putting them on big cards, yet for some reason, we haven't done that. Until now.
The success of London 2012 and the success of the likes of Nicola Adams, Savannah Marshall, Natasha Jonas and of course, Katie, has opened up an avenue for them.
There wasn't straight after London 2012 and they didn't really have anywhere to go, but now there is a market, with Katie Taylor leading the way.
And I can see why she is top of the bill because to me, she is better than a lot of male fighters out there.
I am not just saying it. I've seen her on the pads and believe me, she is good. Her combinations are outstanding and she looks strong, compact and her timing is spot on.
The one thing that I noticed when I did the Living For Sport stuff with her, was the way she was so focused. She doesn't care about the stars and the bright lights, she just wants to fight. Katie Taylor looks like a machine when she's in the ring.
She will also have a point to prove because I know she smashed two amateurs that went on to win world titles when they turned pro, so she will be thinking 'if they can do that, I certainly can'.
It reminds me of Jason Quigley sitting there watching Anthony Ogogo getting all the headlines and that was part of the reason why he left the Sky Sports Scholarship and turned pro.
But for Katie, it is a great move from here. Will there be pressure on her on Saturday night? I don't think so. Maybe if her debut was over in Ireland, where she is a superstar and used to it, but as I said earlier, all she wants to do is fight.
The transition of her training from amateur to professional will be the one thing that might be different, but it will probably make her even more dangerous.
I remember taking the pads with her and the snap, the precision and the unbelievable power, will never change. I certainly won't forget and you will all see on Saturday.
Watch Katie Taylor v Karina Kopinska, as well as Ohara Davies v Andrea Scarpa, Ben Hall v Carson Jones, and Martin J Ward v Ronnie Clark on a busy Wembley bill, with live coverage starting at 8pm on Sky Sports 2.
