BANGKOK, Thailand — Katie Taylor and Ronda Rousey are involved in active negotiations to stage a mega-bout in Las Vegas matching the most compelling women’s combat fighters of this century, BoxingScene has learned.
Ireland’s two-time undisputed boxing champion Taylor, 25-1 (6 KOs), coming off a July victory over Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano that generated 6 million streams on Netflix, is 39 and nearing the end of a legendary career that has included an Olympic gold medal.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Rousey, 38, has performed in WWE after reigning as UFC women’s bantamweight champion for three years (2012-2015) before being upset by boxing hall of famer Holly Holm.
Rousey retired upon getting stopped by UFC great Amanda Nunes in late 2016, but she has been seen training in recent months, sparking speculation of a comeback bout.
Rousey has remained coy on the topic.
Although she won many of her UFC bouts by armbar submission, Rousey was schooled heavily in boxing by then-coach Edmond Tarverdyan in Glendale, California, and her confidence in fighting from the stand-up stance increased into her final bouts.
By devoting a wealth of training time to the craft for her return, Rousey would generate massive interest in a comeback against the gritty Taylor, who has battled through tooth-and-nail bouts to claim majority decision victories over the likes of Serrano (whom she defeated three times), along with former super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron and Delfine Persoon.
Taylor, being honored this week at the WBC Convention here in Thailand, told reporters Sunday she believes she misses the sport more than it misses her.
She was noncommittal about who lies ahead, telling BoxingScene, “I’m not too sure – waiting to see what happens. I’m ready to fight whenever, really, and take on whatever challenge comes next. Right now, I’m waiting to see what that is. Any of the big names, any of the big fights – I’m ready to take on them all.”
Taylor-Rousey talk has drawn the interest of Netflix, said an official familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are unauthorized to speak publicly on the negotiations.
And given the success of Taylor-Serrano as a headline event, along with the intrigue in Rousey, the fight is being pursued as its own main event.
The bout is being pegged as a summer event, the official said.
