Katie Taylor weighed in heavier than champion Christina Linardatou as she stepped up a weight division to challenge for more gold.

Undisputed lightweight champion Taylor will vie for Linardatou’s WBO super-lightweight belt on Saturday at 7pm in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Action.

Ireland’s Taylor was 9st 13lbs, a pound inside the limit and a pound heavier than Greece’s Linardatou.

It was a comfortable first weigh-in in a new division for Taylor who owns every major title at the 9st 9lbs weight, so is aiming to become a two-weight world champion.

Challenging Linardatou is her first fight since beating fellow world champion Delfine Persoon in New York in June.

Via skysports.com

Katie Taylor says she is ready to create more history by becoming a two-weight World Champion when she faces Christina Linardatou for the WBO Junior Welterweight World title at Manchester Arena on Saturday November 2, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Taylor (14-0, 6 KOs) completed her journey for Olympic gold to undisputed Lightweight World Champion with a thrilling points win over Belgium’s Delfine Persoon on the blockbuster Joshua vs. Ruiz card at Madison Square Garden on June 1.

In a landmark moment for women’s professional boxing, Taylor jumps up in weight to 140lbs to headline at the iconic Manchester venue, and the Irish star has her sights set on Matchroom Boxing stablemates Amanda Serrano and Cecilia Brækhus should she come through her latest test.

“This is a huge opportunity for me to become a two-weight World Champion and I’m ready to create more history for myself and my country,” said Taylor. “I’m very aware of the challenge that Christina brings. I do believe that she’s the best 140lbs in the division and I cannot wait for a very exciting and hard fight.

“It’s a new challenge moving up in weight, I’ve worked very hard in the gym to build up. You’ll see the very best of me and I’ll need to be on my game because I think Linardatou is the number one at 140lbs and she’s had some great wins in her career.

“It’s going to be a huge 12 months for me, but I have to get past Christina first. I only take one fight at a time and my focus is completely on this one. She brings a lot to the table and I’m very aware of the challenge. She is an excellent World Champion and it’s going to be a big test for me but one that I’m confident of overcoming.

“There are still so many huge fights out there for me like the Amanda Serrano fight, a rematch with Delfine Persoon and a fight with new Matchroom signing Cecilia Brækhus, but the first goal is November 2nd and winning another World title.”

Felix Cash believes that he is “levels above” Jack Cullen and is determined to prove it when they meet for the Commonwealth Middleweight crown at Manchester Arena on Saturday November 2, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The unbeaten Wokingham talent (11-0, 7 KOs) landed the Commonwealth title in style by taking out Nigeria’s Rasheed Abolaji in the opening round of their clash at The O2 in February earlier this year but hasn’t fought since after an injury ruled him out of his July 6 date with Cullen.

‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ has enjoyed a breakout year, stopping Jack Sellars in eight rounds to win the English title at the Bolton Whites Hotel in May before halting Dillian Whyte protege John Harding Jr on his Sky Sports debut in Liverpool three months later.

Despite his opponent’s recent run of impressive form, Cash insists that he has more than enough in his armoury to deal with Cullen and has predicted that their eagerly-anticipated domestic showdown won’t go the scheduled 12 rounds.

“I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a while and now it’s time to deal with this fella in good fashion,” said Cash. “There are a few weaknesses in his game which I have seen and no disrespect to John Harding Jr but he’s no Felix Cash and if he stands and trades with me then he’s going to be in trouble and he will walk onto one.

“He works hard Cullen, he’s a grafter who throws a lot of shots but that suits me because he is going to be there to be hit, I don’t think that he will see the twelfth round. This is the perfect fight for me to come back and show everybody how good I am.

“He’s tall and he’s awkward but I do believe he has never been in with a man or a fighter like me of my calibre. No disrespect to him but he’s been chinned before and I plan on doing the same. He is a decent fighter but there are levels in boxing and I believe that I am levels above him.

“It doesn’t matter what stage it is or how many fans he has got, it’s only going to be me and him in between them four ropes and I’m going to show him that there are levels.”

Katie Taylor will bid to become a two-weight World Champion when she meets Christina Linardatou for the WBO Jr. Welterweight World title at Manchester Arena on Saturday November 2, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Taylor (14-0, 6 KOs) completed her journey for Olympic gold to undisputed Lightweight World Champion with a thrilling points win over Belgium’s Delfine Persoon on the blockbuster Joshua vs. Ruiz card at Madison Square Garden on June 1.

After a bloody and brutal battle that captivated the New York crowd, the Irish star added Persoon’s WBC belt to her IBF, WBO and WBA titles to hold all four at 135lbs and cement her place as the number one Lightweight on the planet.

Linardatou (12-1, 6 KOs) landed the WBO crown with a sixth round TKO win over Kandi Wyatt in her home city of Athens in March. The 31-year-old made the first defence of her title against Deanha Hobbs three months later in Greece, dominating the Australian over ten rounds.

Her sole career loss came against Delfine Persoon in June 2016 when she was outpointed in a challenge for the former champion’s WBC title in Belgium – her first World title attempt before moving up in weight to Super-Lightweight.

“I had some of my early pro fights at Manchester Arena and to come back in November and headline a card there a couple of years on is amazing,” said Taylor. “It’s played host to some huge nights in boxing history so I’m honoured to be part of that tradition.

“It’s a new challenge at a new weight and something I’m really excited about. I still feel like I have so much left to achieve in the sport and becoming a two-weight World Champion is one of those goals.

“There are still so many huge fights out there for me like the Amanda Serrano fight, a rematch with Delfine Persoon and a fight with Cecilia Brækhus but the first goal is November 2nd and winning another World title.

“I don’t have any issues making Lightweight so I think I can move comfortably between the two weights. I always want to push myself and Christina’s an excellent World Champion so it will be a big test for me.”

Linardatou said: “I plan on leaving England with my title. If I need to knock Katie Taylor out in order to retain the title, that’s what I’ll do.”

“I’m so happy to be back in Manchester for this huge show,” said Eddie Hearn. “Katie Taylor is now established as one of the biggest stars in world boxing and she bids to make more history by becoming a multi-weight World Champion by challenging WBO Super-Lightweight champ Christina Linardatou.

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be showing the best female boxer in the world back on Sky Sports on this huge show. This is another major test for Katie Taylor as the undisputed Lightweight champion takes on all comers and continues to cement her extraordinary legacy in the sport.

“Katie is a marvellous ambassador and inspiration to so many and we are delighted to be working so closely with her as we look to feature both the very best in boxing and also in women’s sport on Sky.”

DiBella Entertainment has signed WBO Women’s Junior Welterweight World Champion Christina “Black Mamba” Linardatou (12-1, 6 KOs), of Athens, Greece.

The 31-year-old Linardatou, a native of the Dominican Republic, captured the vacant WBO 140-pound world title on March 24, with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated, #1-ranked contender Kandi Wyatt in Athens. The fight was the first boxing world championship contest in the country’s history. Following up on her world title victory, Linardatou successfully made her first defense on June 7 winning a 10-round unanimous decision against unbeaten challenger Deanha Hobbs at the Olympic Hall Galatsi in Athens.

“I’m honored to bring another world champion into the DiBella family,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With her fan-friendly style and willingness to fight anywhere in the world, Christina will become a big star in women’s boxing. Her manager Brian Cohen and I have very big plans and we are excited to see her career grow from here.”

The Linardatou signing comes one day prior to DiBella Entertainment’s next Broadway Boxing card, which will be live streamed on UFC Fight Pass tomorrow night from Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, CT. The event will feature three exciting women’s bouts, including WBA Super Middleweight Champion Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon-Espinosa defending her world title for the second time against Schemelle Baldwin. Former world champion Kali Reis and hard-hitting bantamweight contender Helen Joseph will compete as well.

DiBella Entertainment will also be promoting the highly anticipated WBO Women’s Featherweight World Championship fight between Heather “The Heat” Hardy and Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano on Friday, September 13, at Madison Square Garden, in New York City.

“Lou DiBella’s passion and action speak loud and clear,” said Linardatou. “For many years, Lou has been not only one of the very best promoters, but a true supporter and fighter for women’s boxing, working with numerous top contenders and world champions. I’m very confident that he can provide me with big opportunities to take my career to the next level.”

On July 28, 2018, Linardatou fought in the United States for the first time, winning a six-round decision versus previously undefeated Alycia Baumgardner in Louisville, KY.

Photo via inthering.gr

Christina Linardatou’s first WBO world title defense was a resounding success.

In the main event of a boxing card in Greece, Linardatou dominated Deanha Hobbs to retain the WBO junior welterweight title with a 10-round decision.

The fight started off with Linardatou picking her spots and throwing big hooks to the body while Hobbs threw lazy jabs and 1-2 combinations in the first few rounds. Linardatou briefly staggered Dobbs late in the second round, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity and drop Dobbs. For almost the entire fight, Dobbs fought off the backfoot, throwing simple combinations but unable to seriously hurt Linardatou.

As the fight progressed, Linardatou continued to throw harder punches as she kept walking Dobbs down. Dobbs did perform better in the second half compared to the first half of the fight, being more aggressive and willing to trade body blows with Linardatou in the center of the ring. Linardatou connected on a solid left hand in the seventh round, but Dobbs responded by pressuring the champion to the ropes and even landed a couple of hooks upstairs. Dobbs had perhaps her best round in the eighth when she landed a straight left that split Linardatou’s guard as well as a right uppercut that connected square on Linardatou’s face.

Linardatou started the ninth round with a flurry of body shots, immediately pushing Dobbs to retreat to the corner, and then connecting with a big left hook upstairs. Linardatou kept the frantic pace up, barely allowing Dobbs to throw anything big to get back in the fight. Linardatou nearly stopped Dobbs late in the round when she connected on another left hook that hurt Dobbs, but the challenger was able to survive the round. Dobbs had one more chance to turn the fight around when she landed a furious combination of punches in the final minute of the fight, but Linardatou was able to shrug off her opponent’s punches.

This was Linardatou’s first fight since winning the world title back in March with a TKO win over Kandi Wyatt. Linardatou dropped Wyatt three times en route to the sixth-round stoppage win in Greece.

WATCH Linardatou Vs. Hobbs in the next video:

VIA CARLOS TORO: https://www.fightful.com/boxing/christina-linardatou-retains-wbo-junior-welterweight-title-decision-win-over-deanha-hobbs

Christina Linardatou and all of Greece may still be basking in the celebration of the first world boxing championship performance on Greek land, but Team Empire Management and Perseas Promotions are rolling along with more championship action.

Linardatou (11-1, 6 KOs) is now set to make that first championship defense on June 7th against Australian Deanha Hobbs (8-0, 5 KOs), who currently holds the WBO Asia-Pacific Super Featherweight belt. The event is presented by Perseas Empire Promotions and will be hosted at Olympic Hall Galatsi in Athens.

The 31 year old Linardatou became Greece’s queen after crushing formerly unbeaten Kandi Wyatt for the 6th Round TKO less than a month ago.

Hobbs collected the vacant WBO junior belt with a Unanimous Decision win over Baby Nansen in December.

“Black Mamba” and “Medusa” Linardatou has a knack for dealing opponents their first defeats. She has dealt first defeats to UK Prospect Sam Smith, former WBC International Super Featherweight champion Alicia Baumgardner, in addition to Wyatt. Will Hobbs be the next one?

via http://www.womenofboxing.com/fresh-off-of-historic-wbo-championship-win-christina-linardatou-to-make-first-super-lightweight-defense-on-june-7-vs-deanha-hobbs/

Greece’s First World Championship Match: Christina Linardatou to Take on Kandi Wyatt for the WBO Jr. Welterweight Title on March 24

BREAKING NEWS from Team Empire Boxing:

On March 24 2019 in Athens Greece the first World title fight in the countries history will take place between power punching Christina “Black Mamba” Linardatou (10-1, 5 KOs) and number 1 Canadian ranked Kandi Wyatt (8-0, 3 KOs). They will be fighting for the vacant WBO 140 pound title.

Manny Lavdakis, Perseas Promotions CEO, had this to say. “We are very excited to bring this event To the city of Athens. On March 24 history will be made. It’s amazing that a form of boxing took place in Greece during the Minoan ages which dates back to 2700 BC and this is the first World Boxing title ever contested here. The fight itself will be a great. You have two woman hungry to become world champions. Undefeated Kandi Wyatt is coming here to take this belt back to Canada. She is a very strong boxer with amazing fundamentals and her will to win has gone uncontested. She is not coming here for a paycheck or to lay down she is cooking to win. Christina will definitely have her work cut out for her. She will definitely have to use everything in her toolbox to get the win. On March 24 history will be made by these two women”.

Brian Cohen, who co-manages Linardatou and is overseeing logistics had this to say. “To have this event happen is truly monumental. When Manny was in the United States last year we sat at my kitchen table, grabbed 2 pens, 2 pads and drew up a prom otional plan. It took some time to marinate but Manny and his staff are executing it to perfection. To be associated with this is another step forward for woman’s boxing. It’s exciting for me because this country hosted the first Olympics and now to now have 2 woman fight for a world title is epic. Thank you to the WBO but most of all thank you to these to woman for stepping up and accepting the challenge. This will be a war”.

Linardatou competes in her second career world title, following her 2016 challenge to WBC Lightweight Champion Delfine Persoon.

In July of 2019, “Black Mamba” sank her teeth into then WBC International Super Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner to take the junior title.

On March 24th, Linardatou is the front-runner in her backyard for global dominance with her unbeaten Canadian counterpart.

Via:

http://www.womenofboxing.com/greeces-first-world-championship-match-christina-linardatou-to-take-on-kandi-wyatt-for-the-wbo-super-lightweight-title-on-march-24/