What’s Next for Katie Taylor and More Fight News May 3, 2021
By David A. Avila
Ireland’s Katie Taylor maintained a firm grasp on the undisputed lightweight world championship with a riveting performance and unanimous decision win over England’s Natasha Jonas
It was close, but not close enough.
“It was probably a bit too exciting for my liking,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s continued improvement over the professional style allowed her to circumvent the taller and surprisingly strong effort from Jonas whose southpaw style showed flashes of power. Those power shots were just not enough to overcome the abundance of pinpoint shots that Taylor tallied early in the fight and in the final two rounds.
Jonas seemed to gain comfort in the middle rounds but had allowed Taylor to out-hustle her early in the fight. Though Jonas landed solid heavy shots late in the fight, those quick combinations by Taylor gave her an early lead she never relinquished on Saturday night in Manchester, England.
“She showed everything it takes to win a world title in her last two performances. Tonight was a brilliant showcase for women’s boxing and boxing overall. Every time we fought as amateurs it was that type of fight as well,” said Taylor who also defeated Jonas in the 2012 London Olympics. “I’d prepared for a hard ten-round battle tonight and that’s exactly what it was.”
The scores were very close at 96-94 and 96-95 twice for Taylor.
So what’s next for Taylor?
Taylor has not fought an American fighter in three years. Since October 2018 she has fought seven foes and all but one hailed from Europe with the one exception being Brazil’s Rose Volante.
American fighters pose the greatest danger to Taylor. And there are many at the lightweight division and above eagerly awaiting their opportunity.
Tennessee fight card
Ironically two American lightweights headline a DiBella Entertainment fight card on Friday May 14, at Murfreesboro. UFC Fight Pass will stream the event live.
Heather Hardy, the former WBO featherweight titlist has moved up two weight divisions and will fight at the 135-pound lightweight division. She faces Canada’s Jessica Camara in the main event.
Hardy has long been a great ticket-seller in the New York City area but with the pandemic situation still preventing large crowds, it makes sense to place the fight in the best location.
Also, on the same card will be Melissa St.Vil a leading lightweight contender for many years who also hails from the New York City area. She will be fighting former champion Olivia Gerula who also is Canadian.
Any four of those fighters are candidates to fight Katie Taylor.
Those are four of many other possibilities.
Three outstanding alternatives are Amanda Serrano, Layla McCarter and Jessica McCaskill. Those three are all on our Pound for Pound list and very capable of topping the reign of Katie Taylor. All three can easily make 135 pounds but fight at different weight classes because other lightweights fear them.
America is where the most profit can be made and also the most danger for the very talented Taylor.
Europe has many fighters but America is stacked with lightweights and super lightweights. Lesser known but equally talented super lightweights like Mary McGee and Kali Reis eagerly await Taylor if she decides to try 140 pounders. Both McGee and Reis hold world titles.
America is waiting.
More Fight News
Argentina
Ayelen Granadino (6-1-2) defeated Maria Baumstarh (2-5-1) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday April 30. The flyweight match took place at Buenos Aires. Also, Gloria Yancaqueo (8-11-3) beat Debora Anahi Dionicius (30-3) by decision after six rounds in a super bantamweight fight.
Australia
Carly Salmon (1-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Rosario Marcial Amador (0-1) on Saturday May 1. The featherweight fight took place at Albert Park, Victoria.
Colombia
Shadasia Green (8-0) knocked out Angie Barcas (2-15) in the first round on Saturday May 1. The super middleweight fight took place at San Antonio de Palmito.
France
On Friday May 7, bantamweights Mailys Gangloff (4-2) and Romane Geffray (1-2-1) meet eight rounds at Morbihan. Also, super bantamweights Sandra Morcet (3-0) and Marine Tollet (1-4) meet for the French title.
Germany
On Saturday May 8, featherweights Elina Tissen (23-2) and Everline Odero (10-9-2) meet 10 rounds for the WBF title Warendorf.
Mexico
Yulihan Luna (21-3-1) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds against Barbara Martinez (3-10-1) on Friday April 30. The super bantamweight fight took place at Torreon. Luna is the current WBC bantamweight world titlist.
On Friday May 7, super middleweights Olivia Curry (0-0) and Nardy Espinosa (0-0) meet four rounds in Michoacan.
New Zealand
On Friday May 7, welterweights Karen Te Ruki (2-2) and Arian Nicholson (1-0) meet six rounds at Auckland.
On Saturday May 8, lightweights Mea Motu (7-0) and Michaela Jenkins (1-0) meet four rounds at Auckland.
United Kingdom
Katie Taylor (18-0) won by unanimous decision over Natasha Jonas (9-2-1) after 10 rounds on Saturday May 1. The undisputed lightweight world title fight took place at Manchester, England. Taylor defended the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF lightweight world titles.
USA
On Saturday May 8, super welterweights Kaitlin Lavigne (0-0) and Miranda Barber (0-1) meet four three-minute rounds at Orlando, Florida.
(Photo by Mark Robinson and Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing)