Boston will be turned green, white and orange on October 20, when Katie Taylor and James Tennyson take to the ring at the TD Garden.
The Irish duo will be in the United States on world championship duty when Matchroom USA stage a title triple bill.
Taylor will defend IBF and WBA lightweight belts against former world champ Cindy Serrano, while Commonwealth title holder Tennyson attempts to wrest Tevin Farmer’s IBF super-featherweight strap from the American.
The Irish duo are the support acts to a GB-USA classic where Billy Joe Saunders defends his WBO middleweight championship in a battle of the unbeaten talents against Demetrius Andrade.
While Taylor and Tennyson will have fans jetting in from Ireland, there will be no shortage of backing from Boston.
No city in America is more Irish than the capital of Massachusetts and Taylor can’t wait to perform in the place she loves.
“It’s great to be here, “ Taylor said at the media conference.
“I love this city and it’s going to be like a homecoming fight for me with all the Irish fans living here.
“I want to thank Cindy for taking this fight, these are the types of fights that I absolutely relish, it’s going to be a really exciting clash alongside some brilliant fighters on the rest of the bill, I can’t wait.”
Katie, from Bray, has won all 10 of her professional contests, five inside the distance, but her Puerto Rico-born opponent is no soft touch.
Serrano (pictured above right with Taylor) has won 27 times (10 early) and has just five defeats on her record.
The New York-based boxer was highly respectful at the Quincy Market in Boston where the fighters faced the press.
“Katie is a tremendous fighter and a hard worker so I know it’s going to be a hard fight, but a great fight,” said Cindy. “I am a great fighter too and not only can we both fight, we look good doing it – and we’re going to prove that in October.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has pulled together an incredible bill, including getting arch-rival Frank Warren’s boxer, Saunders, to defend his WBO Belt on it.
Watch out for Farmer v Tennyson, as the Belfast 25-year-old attempts to shock the defending champ.
“It’s amazing to be involved in such a huge bill in a great city like Boston – and it’s going to be even better when I leave with the IBF World title,” he said.
Words: Roy Kelly Pictures: Ed Mulholland
