The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has expressed its "disappointment" that Katie Taylor will not be fighting on the undercard of Andy Lee's WBO middleweight title defence against Billy Joe Saunders at Thomond Park next month.
It had been expected that the Olympic and five-time World champion would participate in an exhibition bout ahead of the pro contest on 19 September but both a representative for Taylor, and Lee's manager Booth confirmed on Tuesday that no agreement had been reached.
The AIBA today released a statement insisting that the proposed bout had been given a green light from their end and that it would have been "further proof of the growing importance of women’s boxing".
Huge heartfelt thanks to @boxingbooth and @AndyLeeBoxing for their support and eagerness to get me on the show.
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) August 5, 2015
Unfortunately it wasn't to be. I wish Andy the very best on the night, a truly great ambassador for our nation.
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) August 5, 2015
The statement read: "Following the announcement of Katie Taylor’s decision to pull out from Andy Lee’s world-title defence at Thomond Park next month, AIBA would like to underline that ever since the original proposal was received to include Katie Taylor on the bill , the organisation has endeavoured to act in the boxer’s best interest and opened up discussions with the promoter of the fight.
"We had been working to finalise and agree terms with Adam Booth in order to ensure that the bout could go ahead. These discussions went normally and a green light from AIBA was given on Monday 3 August.
"AIBA’s work and efforts to accommodate the request and to utilise the event to promote both Katie and other Irish boxers is indisputable. We are extremely disappointed that despite our best efforts this bout is not proceeding since it was further proof of the growing importance of women’s boxing."
Taylor later said on Twitter: "Huge heartfelt thanks to @boxingbooth and @AndyLeeBoxing for their support and eagerness to get me on the show.
"Unfortunately it wasn't to be. I wish Andy the very best on the night, a truly great ambassador for our nation."
