Katie Taylor ordered to fight for vacant world title after champion falls pregnant

Katie Taylor has been ordered to face Flora Pili for the WBC super lightweight title.

Taylor held the green and gold strap between 2023 and 2025, but was made WBC ‘champion in recess’ after she took a break from the sport following a third win over Amanda Serrano last July.

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Britain’s Sandy Ryan picked up the world title by defeating Karla Ramos Zamora via majority decision in February.

However, the belt has now become vacant once again as Ryan has fallen pregnant.

“The WBC congratulates Sandy Ryan on her pregnancy and wishes her all the best,” a statement on the WBC’s social media read.

“As champion in recess, she will always have the support of the WBC during this process.

“The vacant WBC super lightweight championship will be on the line when Katie Taylor faces Flora Pili.”

Taylor’s handlers are working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the Irish boxing legend a fairytale send-off at Dublin’s iconic 82,000-seater, Croke Park.

The 39-year-old has made it clear that she will not accept anything less for her farewell fight.

According to boxing insider Chris Mannix, Matchroom has provisionally booked Croke Park for September 5.

Mannix declared that the bout will come against one of her three mandatories.

Pili ticks that box as she is the IBF’s No.1-ranked contender.

Who is Flora Pili?

The Frenchwoman has compiled an unbeaten 12-0 record, competing almost entirely out of her home country.

Pili is a former European and French super lightweight champion.

She also picked up the lesser-regarded IBO belt with a majority decision victory over Jelena Janicijevic last time out in December 2025.

Taylor would mark a significant step up in competition for Pili, who would likely open up as a sizeable underdog with the bookies.

UFC legends Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey had both been considered as opponents for Taylor’s last dance.

However, Holm’s back-to-back defeats to Stephanie Han and Rousey’s retirement spelt an end to such talk.

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