Katie Taylor secured a unanimous points victory over Christina Linardatou to become a two-weight world champion on Saturday night in Manchester, having stepped up to super-lightweight to claim the WBO 140lbs title.
Against the ebullient, bullish Greek champion, the Irish woman’s classy boxing skills enabled her to outthink and outdance Linardatou, taking the decision 96-94, 97-93, 97-93 on the judges’ cards. Yet the defending champion was never broken by Taylor, who came through torrid periods in the contest, with nimble footwork and faster hand speed.
Taylor, also the undisputed world lightweight No 1, had to contend with a bad swelling around her right eye from the third round onwards.
Taylor’s triumph also meant that the record-breaking boxer from Bray became just the third Irish fighter to win a world crown in two weight division, after Steve Collins and Carl Frampton.
The one opponent both women had in common prior to this fight was Delfine Persoon, to whom Linardatou – known as “Medusa” – lost on a points decision in a World Boxing Council lightweight world title fight, in 2016. Taylor herself had a brutal battle with Persoon in New York’s iconic venue Madison Square Garden on June 1 to claim the No 1 position in the women’s lightweight division, and is keen to tackle the Belgian policewoman again.
“There are huge fights out there for Katie,” said her promoter Eddie Hearn.
“A rematch with Persoon is definitely there for 2020, and we want to do it in a big venue, as well as possible super-fights with Cecilia Braekhus and Amanda Serrano.”
Taylor was quick to thank the raucous crowd, saying: “Thank you so much for the support. I’m making history again, breaking boundaries again and the best is yet to come.
“We knew it was going to be tough for 10 rounds. I boxed beautifully on the outside and I boxed smart for a change instead of getting stuck into a fight.”
She added: “I just want to thank my coach Ross for everything he’s done and the sacrifices he’s made. I wouldn’t be in this position without him.”
Also on the Manchester card lightweight Anthony Crolla kept his steeliness and his emotions in check in his swansong fight to claim victory in his 45th and last professional fight. The local hero and former world lightweight champion defeated Frank Urquiaga on points.”