Katie Taylor has been named ‘Champion in Recess’ by the World Boxing Council, as the undisputed super-lightweight world titleholder takes a break from boxing, reports RTE.
The Bray native currently holds the WBC belt along with the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring titles — all of which she successfully defended in her July trilogy bout against Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chantelle Cameron was set to be the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt. Taylor had previously suffered her only professional defeat against Cameron by majority decision in May 2023 at the 3Arena, but reversed that outcome in a rematch at the same Dublin venue six months later, reports RTE.
However, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Taylor won’t be facing Cameron, as she plans to step back from boxing for now to address “personal matters.”
He said: “She let us know that she plans to take some time away from the ring to attend to personal matters. The fight she was obligated to take was against Chantelle Cameron; by naming her Champion in Recess, we will order Sandy Ryan to fight Cameron to ratify the WBC super lightweight world title,” reports RTE.
The WBC explains that ‘Champion in Recess’ status is awarded to fighters who “have had an outstanding career and achieved elite status in the sport.” It is considered a lifetime distinction given under certain conditions such as injury, personal leave, or moving weight divisions.
Cameron will now face English rival Sandy Ryan for the vacant WBC title, but Taylor’s new designation means she would have the opportunity to challenge for the belt again when she returns to competition, reports RTE.
Following her win over Serrano two months ago, Taylor downplayed retirement rumours but offered no clear decision on her future in the sport.
“I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy this victory right now, sit back and reflect and then I’ll make a decision,” she said when asked if the fight marked the end of her career, reports RTE.
“I will make a decision on whether I will fight again in the future,” reports RTE.
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