The reigning WBA female lightweight champion of the world, Ireland’s beloved Katie Taylor capped off a stellar 2017 tonight in Matchroom’s final show of the year.
The 31-year old Irishwoman successfully made the first defence of her world title against America’s game challenger, Jessica McCaskill as she topped the bill at London’s York Hall.
The scorecards at the end of the night read 97-92, 97-92 and 98-91 all in favour of Katie Taylor.
With that victory, she caps off a splendid year of development with her sixth victory of 2017 and her fans are sure to be intrigued as to what 2018 will now hold for the rising star.
💥 #AndStill WBA World Lightweight Champion, @KatieTaylor!
The unbeaten Irish star beats McCaskill on points 97-92, 97-92, 98-91 to make a successful first defence and set up a BIG 2018! 👌 #TaylorMcCaskillpic.twitter.com/VEGqRYxzUz
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 13, 2017
The match-up played out as a classic case of the bull and the matador, Taylor was in the ascendancy when she utilised her use of finding angles, boxing and moving, finding her rhythm.
McCaskill on the other hand found greater success when she got to the inside of her opponent. McCaskill was also very crafty with the borderline use of her head in-close.
Taylor was pushed until the bitter end by McCaskill, but the Irishwoman was clearly the superior fighter.
Despite the hiccups of a point deduction and taking shots on the way in as she closed off the ring, there was no doubt where the decision was going.
And still… #BornForThis#TaylorMcCaskillpic.twitter.com/p4Xr5Oziwz
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) December 13, 2017
It was a gritty first defence of the title from Taylor. It was a hard fight even against an even more daunting opposition she has faced so far.
More so, than even when Taylor faced in Anahi Sanchez in Cardiff to win the title.
It was a solid way to cap off a big year for the fighter, now ahead of 2018 it is now time for Taylor to lock her sights on bigger prize and a WBC/WBA unification bout against Belgium’s Delphine Persoon whose record stands at 39-1 would be a captivating fight indeed.
🍀 7 fights
👊 7 wins
😍 Won in the US
💪 Successful title defence🙌 World Female Lightweight Champion
🇮🇪 Katie Taylor 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/kgOkbxEuP5
— bet365 (@bet365) December 13, 2017
READ MORE:
Hughie Fury vs Dillian Whyte set for February 2018?
Joseph Parker trainer shares they have compromised, ball is now in team ‘AJ’s corner to accept