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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Katie Taylor gives full fight debrief after impressive Wembley victory

Katie Taylor couldn't get the seventh stoppage of her career against Karen Elizabeth Carabajal on Saturday as she successfully defended her lightweight world titles for a seventh time.

But the champion was in control throughout against a tough opponent, who was awkward at times during the ten-round contest for Taylor's Ring/WBC/WBO/IBF/WBA belts.

Carabajal came into the fight with a 19-0 record and Taylor admitted it was clear to see why.

And although the 32-year-old proved a worthy challenger, it was a rather convincing win for Taylor.

The Bray Bomber said: "She is not unbeaten for no reason. She was a tough South American, we were prepared for that type of challenge."

Taylor's trainer Ross Enamait felt his fighter was dominant in the bout, stating that the challenger was "more awkward than difficult".

The American said: "She was awkward. She's got long arms and is dangly but I thought we won every round. It was more awkward than difficult.

"I thought Katie boxed and controlled the fight but she's tough. They [mandatory challengers] come in, they fight Katie, you're always going to get the best version. They've got nothing to lose so you're always going to get the best version of everybody.

"She kind of was what I thought she would be. She was tough, she took it very well, good chin on her."

Taylor echoed the comments of her trainer, adding that she didn't want to try and rush a knockout.

She said: "I don't think you ever go into a fight trying to knock somebody out. The knockout usually just comes. You just go in, you're expecting a tough ten-round fight.

"You just go in and box and if the knockout comes, that's great but it has to flow. I did hurt her a couple of times during the fight but like Ross said she took it very well, she was game and she fought back.

"But a very, very convincing win. Obviously I think I boxed very well at stages during the fight."

Taylor also revealed she is willing to take her longest ever break out of the ring outwith the Covid lockdown to secure her dream Croke Park fight next year.

She is prepared to wait until next May to get back in the ring if it means she finally gets to fight as a professional on Irish soil.

Asked if she would be able to stay out of the ring for over six months until then, she replied: "Yes absolutely. I think that is the perfect time to have an outdoor event. We obviously had a deal sealed off in September last time a few months back for possibly Amanda Serrano rematch but she decided to go a different route.

"It is very easy to make, I am happy to wait a few months for the biggest fight of my career on the biggest stage you could ask for. That is a dream event for me. I think that would be the biggest event in women’s boxing history and one of the biggest events in Ireland as well."

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