Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ANOTHER BIG HAN FOR KATIE AS SHE DOMINATES JENN
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KATIE TAYLOR defended her undisputed world lightweight title with a shut-out points win over American Jennifer Han at Headingley Stadium.
The 35-year-old was given a solid test by her opponent, who turned professional in 2013 and is a former IBF featherweight champion.
It was Taylor’s first fight since she was pushed to the limit by her former amateur rival Natasha Jonas, claiming a narrow points win in May.
But it was soon evident there was little danger of the champion being stretched again by an opponent who boasts a solitary inside-the-distance win on her 22-fight record.
Taylor set the tempo from the start, landing accurate lead lefts and strong right hands as she wore down Han before dropping her with a short left in the eighth (inset), although Han protested a slip.
The three ringside judges concurred that Taylor had won every round of the contest, handing her a 100-89 points victory.
Bray woman Taylor said: “I knew coming into this fight that there was no room for complacency. Every fight is a tough fight at this level, I knew that Jennifer was going to be a big challenge.
“I was hoping for a stoppage tonight but Jennifer was very good at surviving for the whole fight.
“She was fairly crafty, very slippery in there, but 100-89 shutout, it can’t get much better than that.”
Taylor promised to finish her career as an unbeaten, undisputed champion at multiple weights. She added: “I’m willing to fight anyone at any weight category, I want the big fights.
“I want megafights, I want to be involved in the biggest possible
fights in women’s boxing.
“I’m fairly certain I will end my career
undefeated, as a multiple-weight undisputed champion.”
On fighting in Leeds, she added: “The atmosphere was just amazing. It felt like I was boxing at home in Bray really.
I’m so grateful for the support.
“My father was from Leeds. He’s a proud Leeds man so I feel like I’m boxing at home here.
“I hope this is the first of many times that I box here.”