Anthony Joshua 'excited' for Katie Taylor's professional boxing debut
Tuesday 8 November 2016 18:14, UK
Anthony Joshua says he has the ‘utmost respect’ for Matchroom stablemate Katie Taylor, who will fight on the undercard of his world title defence against Eric Molina on December 10.
Ireland's five-time world amateur champion Taylor makes her professional debut two weeks earlier on a stacked card at the SSE Wembley Arena on November 26, live on Sky Sports, after announcing last month that she was entering the paid ranks.
Joshua and Taylor were both gold medallists at the London 2012 Olympics and the IBF heavyweight champion hopes Taylor can replicate her performances as an amateur and hit the heights as a fully-fledged professional.
"They do say that the amateurs and the pros are different but for me but if you can back it up as an amateur then you definitely have the pedigree," Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I'm excited [by Katie's decision to turn professional],
"Not many people agree with women's boxing but [Katie is] someone that can box, hit and beat men up as well.
"I give her the utmost respect and I just hope she can achieve what she wants to do by turning pro and go on and fulfil her destiny because she is a credit to the sport. She's a nice person in and out of the ring."
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
