Katie Taylor retained her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles after a unanimous decision victory over Natasha Jonas in Manchester last night.
It was another memorable encounter with Jonas, nine years after their London 2012 Olympic Games bout. Taylor was forced to dig deep for the win retaining her belts by scores of 96-94, 96-95 and 96-95.
“It was probably a bit too exciting for my liking,” Taylor told Matchroom. “It was definitely a toe to toe battle in there. I thought I was a bit flat early on, but I dug deep to win the championship rounds. I definitely showed the heart of a champion in there and that’s what won me the fight in the end.
The bout was Taylor’s twelfth successive world title bout and Jonas second following her draw with WBC Super Featherweight champ Terri Harper last time out.
“She showed everything it takes to win a World Title in her last two performances,” said Taylor. “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. I’d prepared for a hard ten-round battle tonight and that’s exactly what it was.
“It was a thrilling fight. I’m just delighted to come out of it with the belts and still undefeated. 18-0, onwards and upwards. This is what I’m in the sport for, I want to be involved in the biggest fights. There’s plenty of those fights out there for me.”
