Nearly two decades ago, in November 2007, at the 45th annual convention, WBC conferred a unique honor on Manny Pacquiao. He became an Emeritus Champion. Eight years later, Floyd Mayweather Jr. became one when the Mexico-based sanctioning body gathered at the 53rd conference in China. Now, a decade later, another all-time great, Katie Taylor, is set to join Pacquiao and Mayweather’s exclusive company.

Through a tweet, Mauricio Sulaiman updated the news. The development follows Katie Taylor‘s decision to take some time off from boxing. Just two months ago, she defended her light welterweight undisputed title for the second time at Madison Square Garden. A trilogy fight saw her inflict yet another loss on Amanda Serrano. Taylor was supposed to defend her belts from mandatory challenger Chantelle Cameron next, but there’s been a development on that front as well.

Katie Taylor among boxing’s select few

“The WBC Board of Governors unanimously voted in favor of appointing @KatieTaylor as WBC Emeritus champion. We wish our proud champion great success in the future, and she may return to the ring in case she decides to do so to continue representing the Green Belt,” read Mauricio Sulaiman’s post on X.

On WBC’s portal, he elaborated: “She let us know that she plans to take some time away from the ring to attend to personal matters. The fight she was obligated to take was against Chantelle Cameron; by naming her Champion in Recess, we will order Sandy Ryan to fight Cameron to ratify the WBC super lightweight world title.”

For the unversed, Katie Taylor isn’t being punished. Being Champion in Recess is an honorary recognition reserved for elite fighters with proven careers. She keeps a privileged status within the WBC. When she returns, she’ll have the right to challenge for her old belt directly. Taylor need not work her way back up the rankings.

In short, Katie Taylor is temporarily stepping back. But she holds a special WBC recognition. It protects her legacy and gives her a direct path back to a title fight when she’s ready. Now, how did this all come about?

The developments behind the curtain

A few weeks ago, Ring Magazine revealed the WBC giving a 21-day extension to settle the negotiations for Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron’s third fight. It was on May 23, 2023, that Taylor, after defending her undisputed lightweight championship for the seventh time, climbed up a division to face the English champion.

The attempt at the 3Arena in Dublin, however, proved futile. But Katie Taylor regrouped and challenged Cameron six months later. The rematch at 3Arena, where she suffered her first career loss, saw her secure a four-belt championship in a second weight class.

After the loss, Chantelle Cameron, who joined Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in May this year, bagged a couple of wins. She became the division’s interim champion, which made her Taylor’s mandatory challenger.

To resolve the crisis of the light welterweight title conundrum, it appears the WBC has ordered an all-British clash between Chantelle Cameron and Sandy Ryan. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing manages Sandy Ryan, just like it manages Katie Taylor. After back-to-back losses to Mikaela Mayer, she defeated Jade Grierson two weeks ago.

Katie Taylor’s fans should feel relieved. Their champion can reclaim a title shot once she decides to come back. What do you think of this switcharoo?