Sky chief Adam Smith says Katie Taylor has ‘nothing to prove’ as she is the ‘best that ever lived’

Adam Smith says Katie Taylor is one of the best boxers who ever lived and insists she has nothing to prove when she steps into the ring on Saturday night to take on Karen Elizabeth Carbajal.

Taylor’s superiority in women’s boxing was called into question after Claressa Shields became the undisputed world middleweight champion on October 15 by defeating Savannah Marshall at the O2 Arena.

Shields felt that her win over Marshall cemented her self-proclaimed title as the Greatest Women of All Time (GWOAT). However, Smith says it is “impossible” to choose between the American and Taylor.

Smith Says Katie Taylor Is One Of The Best Who Ever Lived And Says She Has Nothing To Prove

Taylor – who is the undisputed world lightweight champion – returns to the ring on Saturday night after her split-decision win over Amanda Serrano earlier this year.

Many fans believe there is extra pressure on Taylor to perform against Carbajal and prove why she is superior to Shields in the 10-round lightweight title clash at Wembley.

However, Smith says Taylor has nothing to prove, as she is a “hero” in Britain and America. He also praised the 36-year-old for being a monumental driving force in the progression of women’s boxing.

Taylor’s superiority in women’s boxing was called into question after Claressa Shields (L) became the undisputed world middleweight champion on October 15 by defeating Savannah Marshall (R)

The three-time undisputed champion (above) calls himself the ‘GWOAT’ but Smith says it’s impossible to say who’s better when it comes to the American and Taylor

Nevertheless, Smith says it’s impossible to choose between Taylor and Shields in the GWOAT debate, claiming the American was “virtually flawless” during her fight against Marshall.

Smith told Sportsmail exclusively: “Katie Taylor has a pressure on her shoulders every time she enters the ring.

Recently someone asked me if Claressa Shields or Katie Taylor was the greatest of all time and it’s an impossible question.

Claressa was incredible on Saturday night. It was an incredible fight and the first five laps she was pretty much clear, she was that good.

Taylor defeated Amanda Serrano by split decision in historic Madison Square Garden fight

Taylor, who started boxing at age 11, pretended to be a boy when she first took up the sport

“These are difficult questions to answer. Watch as Claressa arrives for her biggest fight ever – dressed in a glamorous outfit and then dances into the ring.

“Katie isn’t like that. She is very different. She is very quiet. I have known Katie for many, many years and I am very close to Katie.

‘She is a very private person. When she steps into the ring, she is incredible. She has set the standard for me.’

Smith added: “Originally we had Jane Couch, she was a wonderful pioneer. She was almost ahead of her time.

Taylor (center) returns to the ring on Saturday night to take on Karen Elizabeth Carbajal

“Whereas, when Katie started, she was Kay Taylor. We’ve all heard the stories, she dressed up as a boy between 11 and 14.

“She had such an incredible amateur career and became an absolute icon. It is clear that on our side of the pond and in Ireland she is an absolute hero and a heroine. She’s incredible.

“I think she’s in both Britain and America. I don’t think Katie Taylor has anything to prove to anyone.

“I think she will always be remembered as a torchbearer, a standardbearer, a phenomenon and perhaps the best who ever lived.”