Taylor named 'Champion in Recess' by WBC

Katie Taylor has opted to take time away from boxing "to attend to personal matters"

Katie Taylor has been named 'Champion in Recess' by the WBC, having informed the sanctioning body she plans to take some time away from the sport.

The undisputed light-welterweight champion won her trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano in New York on 11 July.

The WBC then announced she would have to face mandatory challenger Chantelle Cameron in a title defence, in what would be the third leg of another trilogy.

However, after informing the body she plans to take some time away "to attend to personal matters", Taylor has now been recognised as its emeritus champion, with Cameron now set to face Sandy Ryan in an all-English fight for the vacant belt.

Should Taylor opt to return to the ring in the future, the 39-year-old would be first in line to challenge to holder because of the status conferred on her.

"She let us know that she plans to take some time away from the ring to attend to personal matters," said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

"The fight she was obligated to take was against Chantelle Cameron; by naming her Champion in Recess, we will order Sandy Ryan to fight Cameron."

'Taylor's final decision unlikely this year' - Hearn

Emeritus champion is a special honour granted by the WBC to boxers they deem to have had an outstanding career.

It is awarded in situations such as injuries, personal issues that will keep them away from the sport for some time, or in the case of moving up in weight, allowing other fighters to compete for the regular title to keep it active.

Taylor has not indicated whether she will return to the ring following her July victory in New York, but told Matchroom Boxing's Flash Knockdown Podcast a fight at Croke Park would be the "icing on the cake" of her carer.

It is unlikely that would be possible until next August at the earliest with the Dublin stadium hosting regular GAA games.

Speaking in Belfast last week, Taylor's promoter Eddie Hearn said he does not believe the Bray woman will make a decision on her future until the new year.

"She's definitely not going to fight again this year or early next year so in her head right now, she's going to have Christmas and I don't think she'll make an actual decision this year because time will enable you to make a decision, so give yourself time," he said.

"How you feel today will probably be very different to how she feels in January or February. The worst thing to do is to retire and then in January go 'I think I'll have another fight'."