Katie Taylor insists she is ‘just ready to fight’ ahead of Saturday’s box office rematch with unbeaten Chantelle Cameron in Dublin… with the home favourite promising ‘a completely different fight’ after shock May defeat

• Katie Taylor was beaten by majority decision by Chantelle Cameron back in May 
• The Irish fighter is targeting a ‘statement’ victory in Saturday night’s rematch
• Why rivals Hearn and Warren may be forced to work together MORE – The Hook 

Katie Taylor insists that she is ready to let her fighting do the talking as she gears up for Chantelle Cameron rematch in Dublin on Saturday night.

Taylor suffered the first defeat of her professional career in her Irish homecoming at the 3Arena in May, but gets another shot at the unbeaten English boxer this weekend at the same venue.

While Cameron scored an against-all-odds majority decision victory to retain her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-welterweight belts six months ago, this time around the Northampton fighter has been installed as the favourite.

But Taylor remained bullish on Thursday, stating that she was not a fan of ‘all these press conferences’ and was looking forward to lacing up her gloves and getting underway in the ring 

‘There is nothing else to say really. I am just ready to fight,’ Taylor insisted. 

Katie Taylor admitted she was not a fan of the press conferences ahead of box office bouts

She has a chance at revenge against Chantelle Cameron (left) on Saturday night in Dublin

‘I hate all the talk, I hate all these press conferences. There is nothing to say. I am just ready to fight at this stage. I am excited and very grateful to have this opportunity. 

‘I am ready for whatever comes my way. I am ready to dig deep when I have to. That is why I put my body through the trenches week in, week out throughout training camps to be ready for these situations.’

Taylor returns the less-favoured going into the bout, but her trainer, Ross Enamait, claims his charge is in a ‘much better place’ this time around

‘We’re in a much, much better place than we were last time around – a lot healthier,’ said Enamit. ‘There’s no pressure on us, nobody here thinks we’ve got a shot so we’re here to prove everybody wrong and we’re ready for the fight and looking forward to it.

‘Losing sucks… nobody wants to be there. It was a long time since she had a loss. She’s always hungry and she’s definitely hungrier. Like I said we’re in a much better place, we had a great camp and there’s not much else to do than show up Saturday and fight.’

‘It’s a rematch, they’ve seen each other before so there’s no gonna be much feeling-out, I’m sure they’re gonna get right into it. I’m sure they’re coming right after us but we’ll see on Saturday. I can tell you this: We’re ready and we’re looking forward to it.

‘It’s about getting in there and winning. We’re just here to fight, like I said a lot of people are righting us off. To me it feels a lot like when (Bernard) Hopkins fought (Kelly) Pavlik. At the end of that fight, Hopkins stood off the media and took a look at everybody. That’s what I’m expecting to do on Saturday.’

But the home favourite was quick to point out that she felt lucky to have a second bite of the cherry this weekend, having suffered a shock defeat in front of a largely partisan crowd six months ago.  

Trainer Ross Enamait (right) claimed his charge was ‘hungrier’ after the defeat six months ago

Cameron secured an against-all-odds majority decision win over the Irish fighter last time

She added: ‘I am very, very grateful for this opportunity again. I have a second chance here and I just can’t wait to fight.

‘Whether I am seen as the underdog or favourite, whether I walk to the ring first or second, all that stuff is irrelevant. I am just excited and hungry for the rematch.

‘I don’t really take too much notice of what people are saying to be honest. I am very much single-minded and the only people I really listen to are my team, my family and the people that I trust.

‘I understand this is a huge fight, I understand this is a must-win fight for me and I can’t wait to step in there now at this stage.

‘I know I will perform to the best of my ability on Saturday and it will be a completely different fight to last time. I am just excited to showcase that.’

Taylor was pulled in every direction during the build-up to the May 20 bout, which marked a historic return to Ireland for the 2012 Olympic champion.

The Bray-born boxer has tried to keep her profile more low-key on this occasion and maintained a steely focus when sitting alongside her rival.

Cameron, sporting gold earrings, also remained respectful behind enemy lines, but warned Taylor would face an even better version of herself this weekend.

Unbeaten Cameron was adamant that she would not be ‘complacent’ despite remaining unbeaten

She added: ‘I am not complacent whatsoever. That is why I have put the work in, trained harder than ever and it is the best camp I’ve had because I knew I would be up against a Katie seeking revenge.

‘I couldn’t take anything into my stride and think it would be a walk in the park, so I am the fittest I have ever been.’

The 32-year-old, who lost to her Irish foe in the amateur ranks, had originally wanted this rematch to be at 135lbs to enable her the chance to take Taylor’s lightweight titles but was happy to go again at 140lbs and has enjoyed the scrutiny this time.

‘I do feel really comfortable,’ she admitted. ‘I am just embracing the week, enjoying it for once. Usually I hate all this, but I am taking it all in my stride.’

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