Katie Taylor believes her showdown with Delfine Persoon for the right to be undisputed lightweight world champion is the type of fight boxing needs.
On a day when WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder announced a rematch with an opponent he knocked out a year ago rather than facing multiple belt holder Anthony Joshua or undefeated former champion Tyson Fury, Taylor and Persoon's willingness to put everything on the line at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night was given fresh perspective.
The Bray woman's WBO, WBA and IBF belts, Persoon's WBC strap, and the Ring Magazine belt, are all up for grabs in New York.
"This is incredible for the sport as a whole," Taylor said. "This is champion against champion, the best fighting the best.
"This is exactly what boxing needs, never mind women's boxing. These are fights that go beyond the sport and really interest people.
"It's going to be a fantastic fight for women's boxing. There are five belts on the line and to be fighting for the undisputed championship in the mecca of boxing is absolutely huge.
"It's the biggest night of my career by far, and I'm hoping for a fantastic performance on Saturday night."
Taylor (13-0) is expecting her most taxing professional fight yet against the 34-year-old Belgian. Persoon has lost only once in 44 bouts, and that defeat came nine years ago in the early stages of her career.
"Delfine Persoon is a fantastic champion," said the Irish woman. "This is definitely going to be the toughest fight of my career but this is a fight I've wanted for a long time now.
"I'm definitely ready for this type of challenge. It could be a very very physical fight but I've put myself through the trenches for the last few weeks in training and I'm definitely ready for Saturday night.
"The way I box is an exciting style and she is very exciting as well so the clash of styles makes for an all-pace action fight.
"I'm trained to win, I'm here to win and I hope to win in style."
If the 32-year-old becomes the first Irish woman to hold an undisputed title this weekend, her next challenge is expected to be against Amanda Serrano, the Puerto Rican boxer who has won belts at an incredible seven different weight classes, just one behind record-holder Manny Pacquiao.
Serrano briefly held the WBO title Taylor now possesses in 2014.
"I feel like this is only the start for me," said Katie. "I hope to produce a fantastic performance on Saturday and once I get through that there are plenty of big fights out there for me.
"In and around the lightweight division is stacked with so many talented fighters."
Follow Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the News Now app from 1.30am on Sunday morning.
