Katie Taylor vs Ewa Wahlstrom in NYC

Katie Taylor vs. Ewa Wahlstrom Clash Added to Dec. 15 Card in NYC

Lightweight sensation Katie Taylor will defend the WBA and IBF lightweight world titles against Ewa Wahlstrom on the same card featuring Saul “Canelo” Alvarez versus WBA super middleweight titlist Rocky Fielding it was announced on Tuesday.

Matchroom Boxing said that Taylor (11-0, 5 KOs) has been added to the Madison Square Garden fight card on Dec. 15, and faces WBC super featherweight titlist Wahlstrom (22-0-1, 3 KOs) of Finland who will move up in weight for the title challenge. DAZN will stream the fight.

“Eva is someone I know very well from our time in the amateurs,” said Taylor, 32. “I was actually drawn against her in my very first international competition back in 2004 and it seemed like every time I turned up to a major competition after that she was in the draw.”

This will be Taylor’s first appearance at the Garden. She is making her third defense of the titles and making her seventh overall appearance on American shores.

“I’ve been lucky enough to fight in some iconic venues since turning pro two years ago but I’m not sure there’s any more iconic in a boxing sense than Madison Square Garden,” said Taylor. “I think every fighter dreams about stepping in the ring there and I’m no different. To get the opportunity to defend my World titles there is really very exciting.”

Ironically, Wahlstrom will be fighting in the home city of her toughest opponent to date, number one challenger Melissa St. Vil who fought the Finnish fighter last April to a majority decision. Though St. Vil knocked down Wahlstrom she lost according to two judges.

Still, Wahlstrom, 38, remains undefeated and gets to challenge Taylor.

“I have stated for a longest time that I am ready and I want to engage in toughest fights available. This is the ultimate, biggest and toughest fight anywhere and to have it in the legendary Madison Square Garden is a huge honor,” said Wahlstrom. ““I lost to Katie few times in amateur days but I am sure I won her respect anyway. Now in a 10-round pro fight, it will be totally different game with all new avenues to avenge those defeats.”

The female world title clash bumps up an already heavy duty fight card.

“There will be great Irish support in New York and she adds even more superstar status to this brilliant night of boxing on DAZN,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

The DAZN streamed card will be free. To apply for the app go to DAZN.com