Katie Taylor primed for 'incredible opportunity'

Five-time world champion Taylor takes on 39-year-old Italian fighter Monica Gentili as part of an action-packed bill on Saturday.

"I love fight week and I find the build-up so exciting," Taylor told Tuesday's Sportswomen show on Sky Sports News HQ.

"These are things that I live for. When I was growing up as a young girl these were the shows I dreamed of boxing on.

"It's an incredible opportunity for me to be boxing on such a big card on the undercard of David Haye vs Tony Bellew. It's such a privilege to be boxing on such a big show again and I just can't wait for it."

The clash with Gentili is Taylor's third contest in the pro ranks after the Irish sensation stopped Karina Kopinska in November, before outpointing Brazilian fighter Viviane Obenauf at the Manchester Arena a fortnight later.

Gentili stepped in at short notice following the withdrawal of Taylor's original opponent last week, but the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist is convinced her Italian counterpart represents a genuine test.

"She is a very durable and experienced opponent and I'm expecting a very tough fight but I hope this is the start of a very big year for me," the Bray boxer added. "In the future I have huge fights lined up including on the Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko bill in a couple of months.

"I want to make my stand in the professional game and if I am going to be boxing for world titles later on in the year then I need to be challenged and tested and she is an opponent who will do that for me.

"I've been in the States for the last two months training with my coach Ross [Enamait] and I've been working on building up a lot of muscle. I've been punching a bit harder as well I think, and just working on things I've needed to since I turned pro.

"Hopefully that will show at the weekend but I'm definitely in great shape. I feel fitter and stronger and I'm boxing better than I have done in a long, long time so I'm excited to step into the ring at the weekend."