Joshua vs Klitschko: Katie Taylor in world title eliminator on Wembley undercard
Wednesday 19 April 2017 11:05, UK
Katie Taylor’s fifth pro fight will be an eliminator for a world title against Nina Meinke on the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko bill.
The WBA intercontinental title will be on the line on April 29 in a 10-rounder, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the winner set to challenge for the organisation's world lightweight championship, currently held by Cecilia Comunales (14-1).
Olympic gold medallist Taylor (4-0) said: "Meinke (5-0) is a step up for me but I want to test myself against the very best opposition available because it's fights like these that are going to elevate the sport.
As an amateur I only ever wanted to test myself against the very best and that's exactly what I want to do in the pro ranks as well.
"She's won a title already and has an unbeaten record too, but it's a challenge I'm relishing. As an amateur I only ever wanted to test myself against the very best and that's exactly what I want to do in the pro ranks as well."
Taylor's promoter Eddie Hearn added: "No disrespect to her previous opponents but Meinke is on another level and has operated and been victorious on the big stage.
"In just four fights, Katie has established herself as the most exciting female fighter on the planet but now we get the chance to see if she is ready for the world stage."
Ireland's Taylor will be the fourth Olympic gold medallist on the April 29 bill - Klitschko claimed the prize as a super-heavyweight in 1996, an accomplishment replicated by Joshua in 2012. Luke Campbell, who faces Darleys Perez at Wembley in a world title eliminator, won gold as a bantamweight five years ago.
Taylor's opponent Meinke is an unbeaten German who, as a teenager, boxed out of Westway ABC in Scarborough. The 23-year-old's trainer is Sven Ottke, who retired with a 34-0 record as a unified world super-middleweight champion.
