KATIE: ROAR WITH THE PUNCHES...

Irish gold medallist wants a knock-out reception

- BY ROBERT HYNES In New York

KATIE Taylor wants a huge Irish crowd to roar her on when she takes to the ring tonight to face Amanda Serrano for a third time.

The Bray native puts her super-lightweight world titles on the line in her 26th professional fight as she faces the Puerto Rican for a third time.

Over 19,000 people packed into Madison Square Garden when the pair fought for the first time in 2022 anda similar crowd is expected to be in attendance by the time the bell sounds in the early hours of tomorrow morning Irish time.

Taylor knows that she has a war on her hands once again, but as humble as ever, she paid tribute to her adoring fans travelling to New York for the fight.

She said: “It means so much to me that people have travelled over and spent their hard-earned money to come and support me.

"That means the world to me.” Taylor comes into the trilogy fight against Serrano as the defending champion after beating her via unanimous decision last November, following a split-decision victory over her in April 2022.

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But the event is being staged by Serrano’ promoters MVP. co-founded by YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, and the 2012 Olympic champion will walk to the ring first, which is unusual for a defending champion to have to do.