REAL MAY END CHASE FOR DE GEA
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KATIE TAYLOR is in line for a blockbuster unification bout in Dublin in April after retaining her WBA World lightweight title following a tough encounter in London last night.
The unbeaten Bray woman, who received a public warning for the first time in her professional career, earned a unanimous decision – 97-92, 97-92, 98-91 – over battling Jessica Mccaskill in the first defence of her belt at the York Hall.
“A very tough fight, probably the toughest of my career,” said a relieved Taylor afterwards. “But I thought I boxed very well on the outside, I knew she was very tough and rough and I prepared for that.”
The opening exchanges were fairly even as Taylor, who was on the floor from from a slip in the second, consistently fired in rapid combinations but the American defended well.
Chicago woman Mccaskill detonated a short left in the third but Taylor responded with more combinations to close out a round featuring a lot of solid punches from both fighter.
Underdog Mccaskill troubled Taylor with another left in the sixth but the former Olympic champion, whose footwork and hand speed were a constant threat early on, again finished out the frame strongly.
Taylor receiving a public warning for holding in the seventh but, returning to boxing off the back foot where she did the most damage in the earlier rounds, took the last two rounds after a relatively quite eighth stanza.
“I’m delighted with another victory, hopefully I can have a rest over Christmas,” added the Wicklow orthodox after her eighth paid win at Bethnal Green. Taylor has never been beaten in a world title fight – two in the pro ranks and five in the Elite amateurs – but she has never had the luxury of fighting for a major belt on Irish soil.
However, it’s anticipated that this will be rectified in the New Year with a massive unification bout.
Her promoter, Eddie Hearn, looking at April in Dublin.
“We have to go to Ireland,” he said. “Katie wants to. We want to. We want to do a unification fight. It’s going to be against a champion.”
Some of Taylor’s potential opponents include Argentine pair Victoria Bustos and Yohana Alfonzo and Delfine Persoon of Belgium.
Taylor, who almost brought the country to a standstill at London 2012, would relish the opportunity to replicate those triumphant scenes in the paid ranks.
“It’s something [defending a major title in Ireland] I’ve always dreamed of. The unification of the belts would be a dream for me, she said. “I can’t wait to fight in Ireland, it’ll be really special for me. I want to be in super fights, fights that generate buzz. I want to unify the division, I want to go down in history and break boundaries.” is REAL MADRID have agreed a £22million deal for Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – and that should mean Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea are now off their hit-list.
The 23-year-old (inset) is out of contract at the end of the season but Madrid are paying above his release clause to get the deal done as they rate him so highly. Manchester United No.1 De Gea had been their long-term target but they have found it impossible to get him out of Old Trafford. Chelsea keeper Courtois says he wants his future resolved before the end of the season but it may come down to personal reasons as his children live in Spain.
MALAGA HAVE LAUNCHED A BID TO RE-SIGN EVERTON STRIKER SANDRO RAMIREZ ON LOAN IN JANUARY
WOLVES boss Nuno Espirito Santo is confident he will secure Leo Bonatini and Diogo Jota on permanent deals after their impressive spells from Al Hilal and Atletico Madrid respectively.
The Championship leaders are expected to target a new striker in January as back-up for Bonatini – who has hit 12 goals in 21 league games – with Derby’s Chris Martin in their sights. FLEETWOOD striker Devante Cole is a January target for Millwall.
Cole (below), the 22-year-old son of former Manchester United legend Andy, has scored 10 goals in 24 games. Sheffield United failed with a move for him in August.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S 17-YEAR-OLD FORWARD ANGEL GOMES HAS SIGNED HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL DEAL