In Katie Taylor's first fight since becoming the undisputed lightweight champion, she will move up in weight to become a two-division champion.
Taylor will face WBO junior welterweight champion Christina Linardatou on a Matchroom Boxing card at the Manchester Arena on November 2. The card will be streamed on DAZN in the United States.
In her last fight in June at Madison Square Garden, Taylor won a close decision against Delfine Persoon to unify the WBA, WBO, WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine lightweight titles, becoming the first woman to be the undisputed 135-pound champion. The fight against Linardatou will mark Taylor's first at 140 pounds.
Linardatou got the opportunity to fight for the WBO title after Amanda Serrano vacated the belt in late 2018. Linardatou dropped Kandi Wyatt three times en route to a TKO win to win her first world title in Greece back in March. Linardatou remained in Greece for her first title defense which was a unanimous decision victory against Deanha Hobbs in June.
Also announced for the card is a WBA light heavyweight title eliminator between Joshua Buatsi and Blake Caparello. The winner of the fight becomes the mandatory challenger to the WBA title currently being held by Dmitry Bivol. Buatsi, ranked No. 3 by the WBA and the current WBA International champion, has won all 12 of his pro bouts and is coming off a win over Ryan Ford in August. Caparello, the WBA's ninth-ranked light heavyweight and Oceania champion, has won four straight bouts, including wins over Trent Broadhurst and Reagan Dessaix.
On the undercard is Felix Cash vs. Jack Cullen for the Commonwealth middleweight title as well as the retirement fight for former lightweight champion Anthony Crolla. An opponent for Crolla will be named at a later date.
