(DEC 31)  An announcement is expected early in the New Year from AIBA HQ regarding a new venue for the 2014 AIBA Women's World Elite Championships following the recent news confirmed by Boxing Canada’s President, Pat Fiacco that the event will not now take place in Canada as originally scheduled.

According to Boxing Canada’s official website : “Unfortunately Boxing Canada couldn’t find a venue that was available for the dates suitable for AIBA and as result Boxing Canada has had to withdraw from hosting the Women’s Worlds. We are looking forward to future opportunities.” said Fiacco.

The AIBA confirmed that discussions had already taken place re a new location and that an announcement could be expected early in 2014.

That news will come as a great disappointment to followers of the sport throughout the Americas and not just in Canada. Once new dates and locations are announced we will bring you that news here on wban.com

Meantime across the Atlantic, news from Team Taylor in Ireland that Olympic Gold medallist and 4 time AIBA World Champion, Katie Taylor is preparing for 2014 with bouts planned for Dubai and Abu Dhabi early in 2014. Dad and trainer Pete Taylor told the “Irish Independent”

"We been invited out (to UAE) by a hotel owner and it would be crazy not to use the invitation," said her father.

The World Trade Centre could be the venue for one of the fights, added Taylor Snr.

"The exact dates and the opponents have yet to be confirmed but the fights will definitely be going ahead in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is going to be a big year and these fights are part of the preparations."

WBAN understands that possible opponents include two leading U.S boxers and two possible British opponents including Team GB’s Natasha Jonas whom Taylor defeated in the 2012 Olympic in London’s ExCeL Arena where their quarter final bout was

considered to be among the best bouts – male or female – of the London Games. After their last bout Jonas concluded: "When you see women's boxing at the highest level, after this kind of a performance, I don't know how you can argue we don't belong in the Olympics”

On 1 January, the Bray boxer enters her eighth year as World no.1 at 60kg lightweight having in November secured her 101st win in the last 103 bouts when she defeated Finland’s Mira Potkonen .It also brings the 27-year old’s overall ‘amateur’ record to 140 wins in 147 fights since her debut as a 15 years old back on 31 October 2001 when she gained a 23:12 verdict over Belfast’s 16 years old, Alanna Audley in the first ever female bout in Ireland.

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