14 fights.
14 wins.
Four belts.
Katie Taylor’s foray into professional boxing has been a pretty damn successful one.
One of Ireland’s greatest sportspeople became the country’s first ever undisputed world champion boxer as she made it a clean sweep of lightweight belts, defeating Delfine Persoon to add the WBC title to her collection.
Whilst there were guts needed – and lots of them – Taylor could count herself lucky that the judges ruled in her favour, with Persoon seemingly doing enough to win the bout on points. It was Taylor who topped two judges’ scorecards though – the other calling it a draw – and it was Taylor who took home all four belts.
It could never have been called a robbery because it was close no matter what way you were calling it but Persoon should feel hard done by, even though the initial stats showed Taylor landing more power punches.
Katie landed more power punches than Persoon and was more efficient with her striking all over https://t.co/PdQJO8CFRd
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 2, 2019
Straight after the fight, the Bray boxer spoke with Sky Sports Box Office and reasoned that she deserved the win, even if it was one of the toughest battles she’s been through. Questioned about the style the fight was allowed to slip into and how that was a plan of Persoon and one that suited her, Taylor did cast a critical eye, even so soon afterwards.
“That’s my nature, I stand there and fight too much,” she said.
“I probably should have been more disciplined.
“I knew it was going to be that kind of fight, she’s a great, great champion.”
🗣"I thought I did enough, especially in the early rounds." @KatieTaylor reacts to becoming Undisputed lightweight world champion!
📺 Callum Smith is now in the ring, LIVE on Sky Sports Box Office. Buy here: https://t.co/8dhOERDJYq pic.twitter.com/3ourRMhcj8
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 2, 2019
With a lot of the public calling for a rematch, there could be a very tricky first defence of her four belts on the line for Taylor, unless only the WBC (won on Saturday night) is on the line for the next clash.
Taylor was still electrifying at stages in Madison Square Garden, she was still vicious and she was still seriously athletic and the win delivers a fourth professional belt after just turning pro in November 2016.
It means that her record now reads:
- 6 x European amateur champion
- 5 x World amateur champion
- 4 x Professional world titles
- 1 x Olympic gold
Katie Taylor, you are one of a kind.
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