Katie blasts ‘absolutely clueless’ pundits over criticism

KATIE TAYLOR has described British pundits Mike Costello and Steve Bunce as “absolutely clueless” after they questioned her boxing intelligence against Jessica McCaskill earlier this month.

Taylor defended her WBA world lightweight title on a unanimous decision in York Hall, London where she was docked a point for holding.

The Bray fighter soaked up a number of shots in middle rounds after abandoning her slick hit and move tactics and opted for a dustup with the Chicago brawler.

Costello wasn’t impressed and question her boxing intelligence on radio, saying: “It demonstrated and showed us is how leaky Katie Taylor’s defence is.

“She could not miss, it was so easy it was embarrassingly onesided. But that wasn’t enough for her, she wanted to get involved. I thought it showed, actually, a lack of a boxing brain.”

Bunce remarked he was “a little bit surprised at how often she was hit by basically a six-bout novice”, adding: “She didn’t fight a seasoned woman who’s coming from loads of World Championships and Olympic qualifiers and trials.”

Responding, Taylor didn’t pull any punches, tweeting: “I would’ve thought that people making those comments would have some knowledge.

“The reason I won the fight well is cos I used my boxing brain and outsmarted my opponent. If people who particularly are involved in boxing can’t see that, they are absolutely clueless.”

Taylor is expected to fight in Ireland for the first time as a pro in April, with Argentina’s Victoria Bustos a possible opponent.