The WBC has turned off the shot clock on Katie Taylor’s return.
The sanctioning body’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to grant Taylor status as champion emeritus. The distinction means that Taylor, the undisputed junior lightweight titleholder, can take her time to decide what she wants to do next in her life and career. The 39-year-old Taylor is coming off one of the most important victories of her career, a definitive majority decision win over Amanda Serrano in July at Madison Square Garden.
“She let us know that she plans to take some time away from the ring to attend to personal matters,” said WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.
As a result, interim titleholder Chantelle Cameron has now been ordered to face Sandy Ryan to crown a new WBC junior welterweight belt holder.
According to the WBC website, the ruling means that Taylor can take time away from the sport and return to fight for the belt again if she chooses to do so.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, told The Ring earlier this month that Taylor, 25-1 (6 KOs), of Bray, Ireland, isn’t likely to return to the ring in the near future.
“The issue is time. I don't think Katie's thinking about fighting now and she's not going to fight until next spring at the earliest,” said Hearn.
