Photo – PA: Press Association
In the first defense of her WBA Lightweight Championship on Wednesday, Ireland’s Katie Taylor was rushed, pressured, wrestled, and met with an unconventional challenge from Chicago’s Jessica McCaskill at York Hall in London.
Team McCaskill stated that they were going to exploit mistakes in Taylor’s skillset. If rushing and being overly aggressive was the game plan, it worked to an extent.
Taylor struggled to get set and deliver the planned offense most fans were expecting.
With the high pressure, intense action, there were head grabs on the clinch, shoves in the face, near takedowns in a crowd pleasing brawl.
The champion was forced more into dodge and counter more than being the aggressor. But, it kept the challenger pouncing and swinging with hay-makers often when Taylor was most often slipping and connecting for points.
Taylor egged McCaskill to attack in efforts to wear the aggressor down. Upon the exhaustion point, Taylor would push back and excite the UK fans.
Taylor’s slip and pops out-collected the clean punches of the Chicago visitor over 10 Rounds as McCaskill stood her ground and fought for the full 20 minutes of action despite being a heavily favored underdog.
Official Scores: 97-92, 97-92, 98-91
“It was probably the toughest fight of my career” stated Taylor after the bout.
Taylor only won the belt a mere 6 week ago and took this challenge as a lesson. Next up will be her Ireland Homecoming this coming Spring.
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Jay Kemp, #NextGenChamp
Northwest Chicago Suburb native that has an aptitude for development of sports. Sports is my life, from youth to professional levels. I make things happen! I AM GOLDEN! Sports BIZness specialties include marketable presentation, public relations, sponsorship acquisition and retention, up-to-date marketing strategies, charitable projects and how they translate into positive public image. In addition to boxing, I am a nationally certified coach in the sports of lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling, with ties to many other sports. Telephone: 224-627-3777
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