TAYLOR: TREAT US THE SAME AS THE MEN, PLEASE
KATIE Taylor wants equality for women’s boxing when it comes to the length of female professional fights. The former Olympic champion made that call after cruising to another victory last Saturday night, with a dominant 80-72 points decision over Bulgarian Milena Koleva at the Manchester Arena. Recording her fourth win in as many months, Taylor dismantled her 28-year-old opponent, a former world title challenger. The Bray woman put Koleva on the canvas in the penultimate round of an eight-round fight after a right hook capped off a flurry of punches. Despite hurting her opponent with a number of blows up until the final bell, Taylor could not record a third pro stoppage (inset). But the fact that women’s bouts are held over two-minute rounds did not particularly play in her favour as she fought over eight rounds for the first time. The Irishwoman appeared to be more energetic than in her previous pro bouts, although her failure to finish off Koleva could revive questions over her power. Countering that concern, Taylor said: “Definitely if you had three minute rounds you would have a better chance of stopping these girls, for sure. “It does make for a different fight as well,” she continued on the two-minute round issue. “We spar three-minute rounds all the time in preparation for these two minutes [rounds]. “I’m happy to go three minute rounds… I think you would see a lot more knockouts in the women’s game,” added Taylor, whose team are understood to be in the process of putting a proposal to the British Boxing Board of Control to extend the length of women’s pro boxing rounds. The Bray woman will return home for a few days’ rest before a midweek flight Stateside where she will return to training under coach Ross Enamait as her hectic fight schedule continues. Taylor will be back in action April 29 undercard date in support of the world heavyweight title clash between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. A summer ring date in the US is also in the works before a possible European fight in advance of an autumn title shot should all go to plan.