Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez: everything you need to know

It's fight week, with Matchroom Boxing bringing us a World title triple-header, featuring Katie Taylor, Terri Harper, and Rachel Ball

This Saturday, Katie Taylor, makes the second defence of her undisputed lightweight crown, taking on the undefeated Miriam Gutierrez of Spain. Also on the card, Terri Harper defends her WBC and IBO super-featherweight titles against Katharina Thanderz, and Rachel Ball goes head to head with Jorgelina Guanini for the WBA bantamweight title. Here's everything you need to know about Saturday night's event -

Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez

Women's boxing has been on a steep ascent over the past few years, with public attitudes being swayed for the women's game by better match-ups, better promotion, and a surge of talent. While there are many individuals responsible for the shift, one of the women leading the charge has been Ireland's decorated amateur and Olympic gold medalist, Katie Taylor.

Taylor, a two-weight world champion, is undisputed at lightweight, holding every belt available. On Saturday 14, those belts are on the line as Taylor takes on an unbeaten opponent in Miriam Gutiérrez.

Little is known about Gutiérrez other than she is the WBA's mandatory challenger and that she is yet to lose in the pro arena. Her record, which stands at 13-0 with five wins coming via knockout, certainly looks impressive, but this will be her first fight outside her home country of Spain, raising questions about how she'll fare on the big stage against someone of Taylor's experience and calibre. We expect this to be a routine defence and a 'keep busy' outing for Taylor before some massive fights in 2021.

Here's how they look on paper -

Stats
Taylor
Gutiérrez
Age
34
37
Height
5ft 5in
5 ft 7 12
Total fights
16
13
Wins
16
13
Losses
0
0
Draws
0
0
Wins by KO
6
5

Terri Harper vs Katharina Thanderz

Taylor isn't the only one putting her titles on the line against an unbeaten contender; WBC and IBO champion, Terri Harper, faces Norway's Katharina Thanderz. Like Gutiérrez, Thanderz' record also sits at 13-0, and similarly, all 13 have taken place either in Spain or in her home country of Norway.

With just two of her thirteen wins coming via KO, Thanderz isn't a big puncher, but a win over Rachel Ball in 2019 suggests that she can box. With that said, Harper is on a different level to Ball and will pose a far stiffer challenge.

In her 11 fights, Harper has collected two world titles and beaten tough competition such as Eva Wahlström whose only other loss in 27 fights came to Katie Tylor. In her last outing, Harper drew with Natasha Jonas in a thrilling ten-rounder that proved she is willing to go to the trenches to hold onto her titles.

Here's how they look on paper -


Stats
Terri Harper
Katharina Thanderz
Age
24
32
Height
5 ft 5
Unknown
Total Fights
11
13
Wins
10
13
Losses
0
0
Draws
1
0
Wins by KO
5
2

Rachel Ball vs Jorgelina Guanini

In the bantamweight division, Rachel Ball will battle it out with Argentina's Jorgelina Guanini for the vacant WBA world title. Ball was originally set to face Ebanie Bridges (4-0), but with bridges pulling out due to injury, Guanini stepped in as a replacement.

Guanini is a former world champion, having held the IBF junior-bantamweight title from 2018 - 2020. In 12 fights, she has drawn two and lost 1 - the one loss coming in her only contest outside her home country of Argentina, which could be telling.

Ball, a former kickboxing champion who juggles professional boxing alongside a career as a social worker, is best known for her most recent performance, upsetting the odds to win a points decision against the previously unbeaten Shannon Courtenay. Her only loss to date came via majority decision when travelling to Norway to face Katharina Thanderz (who challenges Harper on Saturday).

Here's how they look on paper -

Stats
Rachel Ball
Jorgelina Guanini
Age
29
28
Height
5ft 95 ft 2 12
Total fights
7
12
Wins
6
9
Losses
1
1
Draws
0
2
Wins by KO
0
1

Who else is on the card?

At middleweight, John Docherty faces Jack Cullen in an eliminator for the British title. Thomas Whittaker-Hart takes on Jermaine Springer at light heavyweight. And Kash Farooq returns to action against Martin Tecuapetla.

How to watch -

Taylor vs Gutierrez, plus the undercard will be available on Sky Sports and DAZN. Coverage will begin on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm.

Free Live stream
For those without a subscription, the full card will be available to stream via the Skysports Facebook page, YouTube channel, and skysports.com.

Where is Taylor vs Gutierrez being held?

The event is taking place at The SSE Arena, London, England. With the UK in lockdown, it will be held behind closed doors from within the Matchroom bubble.

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