Katie Taylor “Go Raibh Maith Agat” and More News
(Photo by JP YIM)
By David A. Avila
As one of the big three in women’s boxing Katie Taylor led the sport out of obscurity into prominence with her quickness of hands and feet.
Along with her three-time foe Amanda Serrano and fellow Olympian Claressa Shields the trio of female boxing champions guided women’s boxing out of the darkness into million-dollar paydays and sold-out arenas.
Women’s boxing has never been in a better situation.
But alas, Taylor’s (25-1, 6 Kos) final fight takes place on Saturday in her native Ireland where she meets France’s Flora Pili (12-0, 2 Kos) at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday Sept. 5. The Matchroom Boxing card will be streamed on DAZN.
Now 40, the popular Taylor is hanging up her boxing gloves after nearly 10 years as a professional and defeating everyone foe she ever faced. It all began in the amateurs when she delved into boxing after competing in soccer. In 2012 she won gold in the London Olympics.
She competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics but was unable to win gold again. Taylor turned pro and immediately with the help of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing she was showcased in two boxing events in that same year. In the next year she fought six times where she dazzled crowds with her speed and agility.
But though she was winning, Taylor maintained the amateur style of hit and run. She was winning points but to boxing fans it was not enough. Quickly she adapted to the pro style and slowed down while still dominating the opposition with her quickness and grit. Her two fights against Delfine Persoon demonstrated her determination to win as she blasted away against the Belgian fighter to win both amazing fights.
Arguments arose among fans regarding who was the best female fighter on the planet between Olympians Claressa Shields, Taylor and multi-division champion Amanda Serrano. Because Shields is too big and unable to drop below 154 pounds Taylor and her never met in the boxing ring. But Serrano was a legitimate probability.
They finally met at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2022 and the venue sold out. Even the weighing was an exciting event as the two female combatants provided drama and excitement with their distinct cultural backgrounds.
Taylor’s fans arrived with Irish flags and wearing green and Serrano’s fans in red, white and blue Puerto Rican flags and salsa rhythms. It was an event before the event. New York City was the perfect location for the showdown between the two female world champions. A modern Westside Story.
They did not disappoint.
When the bell rang it was if the universe released years of frustration of women denied their dreams of performing on a big stage. Taylor and Serrano erupted with a display of blows and skills at an intensity that had the crowd roaring its approval. For 10 back and forth rounds Madison Square Garden was electrified by the female pugilists that ended in a split decision win for Taylor. Fans erupted in cheers.
The next day New York City was still buzzing from the boxing high it had just experienced and days later when the television ratings were released many were not surprised. Women’s boxing had proven on that night it could compete with any sport including men’s boxing.
Serrano and Taylor would fight two more times including the second encounter which drew 74 million viewers on Netflix. It was a firefight that attracted many new fans to the sport. Many had never seen women fight and it left viewers impressed from the intensity both fighters exhibited.
“My name will be embedded with Amanda’s [Serrano] forever. They have been three history making fights. I have the upmost respect for her,” said Taylor on the Matchroom podcast.
Taylor was one of the reasons women’s boxing finally reached the mountaintop.
“It’s years and years later we’re still talking Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier kind of fights,” Taylor said. “I think years and years later from this fight people are still going to be talking about Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano.”
Don’t miss Katie’s farewell fight on Saturday.
Birmingham Aftermath
Everyone knew the main event featuring Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron was going to be good. That was no surprise.
One other fight that impressed was the Reina Tellez and Jessica Barry featherweight clash. If you watched Tellez against Serrano a few months back, it was no surprise to see her superb boxing skills defensively and offensively. The surprise was Barry who absorbed a lot of punishment early and made the fight very competitive. Barry rallied in the second half and proved she deserves another shot at the top tier featherweights.
Who saw Terri Harper’s beautiful left hook knock down in the second round against Miranda Reyes. More women are finally learning how to use a left hook or right hook for southpaws. It was a perfect left hook.
Boxers from extensive amateur careers tend to not throw proper hooks. Lately, I’ve noticed many like Mikaela Mayer, Claressa Shields and Harper demonstrate pro style hooks and get impressive results. It’s not about getting points, its about hurting foes in the pros.
On a sad note, Chicago’s Brandi Robinson went into full grappling mode against Tysie Gallagher. Usually that’s a trait of longtime amateurs who are taught to hit and hold instead of learning how to fight in close.
Nobody likes to watch a boxer hit and hold.
More Fight News
Argentina
Milagros Herrera (10-1) defeated Solange Belen (3-1-1) by majority decision after eight rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The bantam fight took place in Buenos Aires. Also, super bantam Ludmila Corbalan (7-0) beat Maria Ramirez (1-3-1) after eight.
Jennifer Meza (11-4-1) defeated Daiana Ortiz (6-7-2) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Aug. 28. The regional atomweight title fight took place in Buenos Aires. Also, lightweight Maria Gomez (7-0-1) beat Nicole Morales (3-12-3) after six; and super fly Victoria Moreyra (3-11-2) won by disqualification in the second round over Lucia Garcia (4-1).
On Friday Sept. 4, super feathers Cintia Burgos (3-0-1) and Daiana Rodriguez (1-2-1) meet four rounds at Junin.
On Saturday Sept. 5, featherweights Lucia Marrero (8-0) and Veronica Nunez (2-7) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Michelle Lynch (2-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Harma Yesti (1-7-1) on Friday Agu. 28. The super feather fight took place in Northbridge.
Louise Creaven (6-2) knocked out Thanchanok Phanan (21-16) in the third round on Wednesday Aug. 26. The welterweight fight took place in Broadbeach.
On Wednesday Sept. 2, flyweights Linn Sandstrom (12-4-4) and Ruqsana Begum (6-3-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Warwick Farm. Also, light heavies Ashleigh Heal (2-0) and Talia Waaka-Smith (1-0) meet four.
On Saturday Sept. 5, super lightweights Samara Fulcher (0-0) and Putri Padmi (0-0) meet four rounds at Terrigal.
Colombia
On Saturday Sept. 5, light heavies Nery Murillo (2-0) and Dora Hurtado (0-0) meet four rounds at Arjona.
Costa Rica
Camila Barrios (1-0) won by decision after four rounds against Yasari Leiva (0-1) on Saturday Aug. 29. The super fly fight took place in Sardinal. Also, minimumweight Nicolle Bustos (2-0) beat Yoesling Moraga (0-1) in four.
Czech Republic
On Sunday Sept. 6, lightweights Lenka Volejnikova (3-6-1) and Katerina Dvorakova (3-9) meet 10 rounds for regional title at Podebrady.
France
Clara Lanuzel (2-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Fanny Croset (0-2) on Saturday Aug. 29. The super bantamweight fight took place in Marseille.
India
On Friday Sept. 4, lightweights Amruta Kale (8-1) and Mala Prajapati (0-3) meet six round at Panjim.
Ireland
On Saturday Sept. 5, super lightweights Katie Taylor (25-1) and Flora Pili (12-0) meet 10 rounds for the unified world titles at Dublin. Also, bantamweight Molly McCann (4-0) and Sylwia Doligala (8-2-2) meet eight rounds.
Japan
Mika Yagio (9-4-1) knocked out Wanasanan Onuch (9-7-2) in the first round on Monday Aug. 31. The super flyweight fight took place in Tokyo.
Risa Mihara (1-1) knocked out Miki Matsui (0-2) in the fourth round on Wednesday Aug. 26. The bantam fight took place in Yachiyo.
On Saturday Sept. 5, atomweights Yurie Kishi (3-2-2) and Mao Kamada (5-1-3) meet six rounds at Iyo.
Mexico
Kenia Enriquez ( defeated Luz Elena Aguilar by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The flyweight fight was held in Tijuana, Mexico.
Nicaragua
Jahoska Chamorro (3-0-1) and Dayana Ulloa (2-0-1) fought to a majority draw after six three-minute rounds on Friday Aug. 28. The super bantamweight fight took place in Managua.
Panama
On Saturday Sept. 5, flyweights Olga Julio (43-19-3) and Fabiola Marquez (8-9-3) meet eight rounds at Panama City.
Tanzania
On Sunday Sept. 6, flyweights Zulfa Macho (4-0) and Lailat Suedi (2-1-1) meet six rounds at Dar es Salaam. Also, lightweights Eva Samwel (0-1) and Angela Lazier (0-0) meet four.
Thailand
Duangjai Saejiam (3-2) beat Phachiraphatson Pankhum (1-1) after four rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The super lightweight fight took place in Bangkok.
Ukraine
Anastasia Kovalenko (1-0) beat Alina Ratushniuk (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Tuesday Aug. 25. The flyweight match was held in Uman.
United Kingdom
Chantelle Cameron (23-1) defeated Mikaela Mayer (22-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The super welterweight unification title fight took place in Birmingham. Also, feather Reina Tellez (14-1-1) beat Jessica Barry (10-2) in 10; lightweight Caroline DuBois (14-0-1) beat Amerlia Moore (4-1) after 10 for WBO and WBC titles; super light Terri Harper (17-3-2) knocked out Miranda Reyes (9-4-1) in two; super bantam Tysie Gallagher (11-2) beat Brandi Robinson (4-1) in after eight; super light Gemma Richardson (5-0) beat Kirstie Bavington (10-6-2) in six; super flies Shannon Courtenay (11-3-1) and Ebonie Cotton (2-2-1) drew after six.
On Friday Sept. 4, super bantamweights Cassidy Todd (7-0) and Ashleigh Johnson (3-4) meet 10 rounds at Paisley, Scotland.
On Saturday Sept. 5, super featherweights Rianna Doforo (4-1) and Chelsey Arnell (6-3-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Rotherham. Also, bantams Samantha Lightfoot (3-0) and Kira Carter (0-35-1) meet six; and super flies Nicola Hopewell (8-2) and Klaudia Ferenczi (20-131-1) meet six.
Uruguay
On Saturday Sept. 5, bantamweights Paola Ibarra (6-8) and Lucia De Los Angeles (5-10) meet four rounds at Montivideo.
USA
Zimbry Pedraza (3-1-1) defeated Nathalia Dinis (1-2) after four rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The super featherweight fight took place in San Diego, Calif. Also, light fly Indeya Rodriguez (8-8-3) beat Audrey Jayachandran (3-2) after four.
Chantal Sumrall (3-4-2) knocked out Jennifer Perella (5-2) in the fourth round on Saturday Aug. 29. The bantamweight fight took place in Everett, Mass.
Jasmine Hampton (3-0) defeated Gloria Munguilla (8-4) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Aug. 29. The light flyweight fight took place in Detroit, Mich. Also, super light Savannah Trini (8-0) beat Calista Silgado (22-21-4) after eight.
Natasha Kamara (1-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Karen Salas (1-3-1) on Friday Aug. 28. The super bantamweight fight took place in Philadelphia, Pa.
On Tuesday Sept. 1, featherweights Stephanie Calderon (3-1) and Sarah Click (2-14-2) meet six rounds at Nashville, Tenn.
On Sunday Sept. 6, welterweights Brittany Cruz (12-13-2) and Vana Medrano (0-2-1) meet four rounds at Denver, Colo.
