An undefeated fighter rarely suffers the first loss of her professional career and by year’s end still ends up being recognized as the best boxer of that calendar year.
But that’s exactly what Katie Taylor did.
Although Amanda Serrano went 3-0, became the undisputed featherweight champion and competed in the first women's world title fight with 12 three-minute rounds since 2007, she didn't face the level of opposition Taylor did.
Taylor entered 2023 after a banner year in which she defeated Serrano, in what was described as the “biggest women’s fight of all time” at Madison Square Garden. It secured her place as the biggest star in women’s boxing.
WATCH: Taylor vs. Serrano named the Sporting News' 2022 Fight of the Year
After a highly-anticipated rematch with Amanda Serrano was postponed due to Serrano suffering an injury, Taylor could have simply waited for her rival to heal. Instead, she dared to be great.
On May 21, Taylor jumped up a weight class to challenge undisputed female light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron. The 32-year-old fighter from Northampton, England was bigger, stronger and younger than Taylor.
Some would say that it was an ill-advised move for Taylor considering that she had a massive rematch with Serrano already on deck. But greatness refuses to wait for anyone.
Cameron wasn’t interested in stepping aside to allow Taylor the spotlight and defeated the Irish superstar by majority decision. The loss signaled to many that Taylor may have bitten off more than she could chew, and at age 37 she may be on the backend of her incredible career.
Cameron appeared to be settling into a place alongside Claressa Shields as the best female pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Taylor could have licked her wounds and gone back to the lightweight division where she remained the undisputed champion. The Amanda Serrano rematch was still on the table and would have netted her a significant payday. But Taylor wanted to avenge the only loss of her career and secured a rematch with Cameron on November 23.
In arguably her most brilliant performance to date, she outclassed Cameron to win a majority decision and become only the third boxer, male or female, to become undisputed in two different weight classes.
She fought a different fight where she took the center of the ring and neutralized Cameron’s jab. Everything that Cameron had success with the first time around was shut down by Taylor en route to reclaiming her spot as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Taylor proved that she could deal with adversity, make the proper adjustments and defeat a bigger, stronger and younger opponent. No other woman has accomplished what Taylor did this year and it’s the reason why she earned her place as The Sporting News’ female Fighter of the Year.
MORE: The Sporting News' Boxing Awards 2023: Trainer, Upset, Fight and Knockout of the Year