Pregnant Champion Steps Aside – WBC Orders Taylor to Fight for Vacant Title

Photo credit: Katie Taylor Facebook The WBC has ordered Katie Taylor to fight for its vacant super lightweight title after the reigning champion, Britain's Sandy Ryan, unexpectedly announced she is pregnant. Ryan picked up the belt with a majority decision victory over Karla Ramos Zamora in February. But just months later, she has stepped aside – and the WBC has called on Ireland's boxing icon to fill the void. Taylor will now face France's unbeaten Flora Pili with the world title on the line. The WBC confirmed: "The WBC congratulates Sandy Ryan on her pregnancy and wishes her all the best. The vacant WBC super lightweight championship will be on the line when Katie Taylor faces Flora Pili." A Fairytale Send-Off at Croke Park? Taylor has refused to accept anything less than Dublin's 82,000-seater Croke Park for her farewell fight. According to boxing insider Chris Mannix, Matchroom has provisionally booked the stadium for September 5. Pili brings a 12-0 record into the bout, but the Frenchwoman has never faced anyone close to Taylor's level. She is a former European and French champion and claimed the IBO belt last December. Earlier talk of UFC legends Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey has faded – Holm is on a two-fight losing streak, and Rousey is retired. For Taylor, this is the send-off she's been demanding. For Pili, it's a seismic step up. And for Sandy Ryan? Congratulations are in order.

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