Miriam Gutierrez may not be a name familiar to those outside of boxing circles but the 37-year-old is a wily operator who will offer a genuine challenge to Katie Taylor.
Joining the professional game late in her career, Gutierrez has been a very active fighter since her 2017 debut in the paid ranks with 13 fights and 13 wins (5 KOs).
That knockout ability is something that Taylor will have to be wary of as Gutierrez has proven throughout her career that she has the punching power to stop a fight and can cause an upset in London if the undisputed champion is not on her game.
Like Taylor, Gutierrez spent many years honing her craft as an amateur fighter, winning three Spanish titles at welterweight and one as a light middleweight.
However, unlike the Bray native, Gutierrez was unable to step up and represent Spain at an Olympic level with neither of her preferred weight classes included in the Rio 2016 games.
The move from amateur to professional has suited the 37-year-old well and the lighter gloves used within the paid ranks give her the chance to exploit her explosive punching power. It's no coincidence that Gutierrez has a far better record as a professional than an amateur.
Boxing since she was 16, the fighter has had to overcome major battles outside of the ring as well as inside.
Gutierrez is open about the fact that she was a victim of domestic violence. She was in her early 20s and pregnant when her then partner beat her, breaking several bones in her face.
In the wake of that attack, Gutierrez stepped away from boxing for 18 months before her coach convinced her to return the sport and soon after that, she began working in advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence.
As a campaigner on domestic violence issues, she has spent 13 years visiting schools, giving talks and teaching self-defence classes.
Last year Gutierrez took the step into the political arena and was elected to the municipal council of Torrejon de Ardoz in Madrid. She continues her advocacy work there, supporting and assisting women, while she keeps up her boxing career.
"It’s the biggest thing in my life that I’ve had to overcome," she said of her abuse. "It was a complete living hell that I suffered and now I am able to enjoy everything that I do.
"Now I’m doing something in boxing that I really enjoy and everything that I do now is with a smile on my face. I’ve got my family and the people that surround me.
"In terms of this fight and going into it, I feel like I’ve already achieved something without actually having fought yet."
While stepping into the ring with Taylor may be an achievement in of itself, Gutierrez is eyeing a shock in London.
"It would be huge for me and in terms of Spain, I would make history," she said.
One person who won’t be underestimating her is Taylor.
Despite suggestions that the Gutierrez fight may just be a stepping stone towards a much bigger bout with Amanda Serrano, the Bray woman is taking nothing for granted against the Spaniard.
"I think she’s a better boxer than people realise," Taylor insisted. "She comes in unbeaten regardless of coming from Spain.
"She’s the number one contender. She’s a very good fighter and I’m expecting a tough fight. I’m prepared to go into the trenches if needs be."
