(SEPT 12)  Confirmation today from Matchroom boxing of one of the ‘worst kept’ secrets in boxing circles and that is that Ireland’s Olympic Gold medallist Katie Taylor will feature on the undercard of the World Heavyweight title fight in Cardiff between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev at the Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium ) in Cardiff October 28th.

Matchroom confirmed that ‘Taylor will fight for her first World title as she meets two-weight World champion Anahi Esther Sanchez for the WBA Lightweight crown on the undercard of Anthony Joshua MBE’s World Heavyweight title showdown with Kubrat Pulev at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Details of coverage in the United States and other countries to be confirmed later.

The former Irish ‘amateur’ sensation Taylor moved to 6-0 in the paid ranks with a fourth stoppage win in her US debut last time out in New York in July and saw off Nina Meinke in an eliminator for the WBA crown at Wembley Stadium in April as part of the supporting cast to Joshua’s epic win over Wladimir Klitschko.

Sanchez collected the vacant strap on Saturday night with a stoppage win over Argentine compatriot Cecila Sofia Mena in Buenos Aires, adding that to the IBF Super-Featherweight crown the 26 year old claimed in 2016 having moved up from Featherweight where she held the interim IBF strap – but Taylor is confident she will make her WBA Lightweight reign a short one and triumph in Wales.

“I’m delighted that the World title fight has been confirmed and on such a big stage as well,” said Taylor. “This is what I’m in boxing for to win World titles and be in big fights on big nights like this. “Sanchez has won multiple World titles so I’m expecting a very tough fight but I definitely feel I’m ready for it and these are the kind of challenges I want. “It’s such a great time for boxing right now to have these huge events. Boxing at Wembley on the Joshua – Klitschko card was a great experience and now to have the opportunity to become World Champion at Principality Stadium is very special and October 28 can’t come soon enough.”

Speaking Monday to ‘ the Irish Independent’ Taylor’s Manager Brian Peters had this to say about her longer term plans:

“We’ve a few plans, but more than likely Katie will be out before Christmas in America. When she’ll fight in Ireland depends on how we get on with the next few fights,” Peters said.

“I hate saying these things because plans change all the time, but within 18 months [from her debut last November] she will have fought in Ireland,” added the Meath man hinting that a late Spring or Summer date in Dublin was likely.

“Dublin will feature but there’s huge interest from American TV companies - she’s still building and she’s only a pro since November.

“We probably saw ourselves headlining in Ireland before taking on America big time. It’s probably kicked off in America a lot quicker than we expected and that’s probably why it will feature next.

“But first she’s got to win this next fight and win the title impressively, he emphasized.. “Everyone is considering it a formality, but it’s a big fight and a huge opportunity for her opponent and it could carry a lot of pressure for Katie too.”

More on Taylor v Sanchez in the coming weeks here on wban.com