'Great talent' in women's lightweight boxing aims to succeed legend Katie Taylor

For many years, Katie Taylor has been a big name in women's lightweight boxing, but the Irish star can't fight forever.

Taylor is certainly not done yet. Her promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed to BBC Sport this week that talks are underway for a rematch with Amanda Serrano.

Hearn said Taylor vs. Serrano II was his “favorite” of several possible fights this summer, but the Republic of Ireland report said the bout would take place in Las Vegas. It is reported that it could be the first martial arts event at the new Sphere Arena.

Although Taylor is a big name, lightweight is now one of the most competitive divisions in women's boxing, and she is no longer a giant fish in a small pond.

Two of the leading contenders to the Queen's throne will meet in Manchester on Saturday as Rhiannon Dixon and Karen Elizabeth Carabajal square off for the WBO lightweight title that Taylor has relinquished.

The 37-year-old from Bray holds the WBA and WBC lightweight belts as well as five light welterweight titles, but for the first time in a while there is a gap in the market.

Time is also catching up with other big names in women's lightweight boxing who are approaching or reaching 40, such as Britain's Natasha Jonas and Haiti's Melissa Saintville.

And, as Hearn told BBC Sport, there are plenty of candidates to fall into that gap.

“Caroline Dubois is a tremendous talent,” he said. “Beatriz Ferreira from Brazil is a three-time amateur world champion and will probably win gold in Paris.

“Katie is still there and Terry Harper is trying to get down to 135, so if Rhiannon can win we’ll have a big fight.”

Who is the lightweight queen waiting for you?

Carabajal and Ferreira, both from South America, would seriously consider themselves world title contenders.

Carabajal, an Argentine, is only 33 years old and his only loss in 23 fights was against Taylor in 2022.

Ferreira, 31, is one of the players growing through his experience fighting for the vacant IBF title later this month before committing to represent Brazil at the Paris Olympics.

However, it is London-born IBO lightweight titleholder Dubois who many are hoping will replace Taylor.

Dubois has been praised for his greatness ever since he burst onto the amateur scene as a teenager and competed in the Tokyo Olympics. Her flawless professional career so far has given substance to her high ratings so far.

At 23 years old and with five KOs in nine career fights, she has time and power.

Newly crowned WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson has been eyeing Dubois since his amateur days.

“A crafty southpaw, she's very physical for her weight and very difficult to beat. I think I can now say she's better than anyone in her division,” she said.

“Her toughest test will probably be Beatriz Ferreira. I think it will be competitive between the two of them and it will be a super fight in the women's division.”

Warrington's Dixon has taken inspiration from Taylor throughout his career but is not afraid of potentially stepping up to his level.

She proudly calls herself an “outlier” for coming from white-collar boxing to compete for a world title on Saturday, and says her unusual background is an advantage.

“They were all amateurs, a lot of them were Olympic superstars,” she said of the lightweights.

“I have taught girls that you can take up sports later in life, and if you put your heart and soul into it, you can excel. It’s important to show that you can do it too.”