Katie Taylor: Caroline Dubois has ‘assurances’ Irish star’s lightweight belts will be vacated, says Ben Shalom | Boxing news

Katie Taylor has “no intention” of defending her world lightweight titles against Caroline Dubois, but the two belts will be vacated after the Irish star’s fight against Amanda Serrano, promoter Ben Shalom says.

Taylor faces Serrano in a rematch for the undisputed super lightweight titles on the same bill as Jake Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Friday.

Dubois is the mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight title after beating Maira Moneo, although Taylor, who holds both the WBC and IBF belts, has not fought in that division since October 2022.

“Katie Taylor holds two of the belts in her weight division, which we believe there is absolutely no intention or no possibility of her ever going back to that weight,” BOXXER CEO Shalom said. Sky Sports.

“It’s frustrating for the division and probably not the right thing for the division, but maybe it’s a matter of politics holding it up.

“I expect that after November 16, when Katie Taylor fights Serrano, it will be clear that she will not be returning to the 135 division, that both of these belts will become vacant, and that we will see Caroline become world champion, fight for The WBC title and we” have had assurances that that will be the case.”

Dubois could shift her focus to a fight against Terri Harper, who recently claimed the WBO lightweight belt with a points win over Rhiannon Dixon in September.

“We’re about to announce a match for Caroline,” Shalom said.

“I think she’s boxing for a world title next. We’re hoping that in February, March next year she can box Terri Harper and we’ve made Matchroom an offer for that.

“I’m excited to see her back. We should be able to announce that date within the next week or so.”

Watch Chris Billam-Smith take on Gilberto Ramirez in a unification of the WBO and WBA cruiserweight world championships on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Mix from