The boxing world's eyes were all on Katie Taylor as she faced Jessica McCaskill tonight and the Bray native put on a good show winning the bout 97-92, 97-92, 98-91 on the judges scorecards.
Boxing fans were quick to praise the 31-year-old who came through a stern test in McCaskill:
Congrats Katie Taylor on first world title defence. Tough fight tonight but as always, a credit to herself and the sport of boxing.
— Niall Doran (@NiallerDoran) December 13, 2017
Katie taylor won clearly I just thought MCaskill won 3 out of the 10. The point off made it look worse. Great first defence ??
— Darren Barker (@DarrenBarker82) December 13, 2017
Katie Taylor still the WBA lightweight champion as she wins - 97-92, 97-92, 98-91 #TaylorMcCaskell ?@sportsfilesteve pic.twitter.com/9UFlNxBRnK
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) December 13, 2017
97-92 to Katie Taylor on my card. Greatest female combat sports athlete of all time wins well again. Put on a great show. Tremendous fight. #TaylorMcCaskill
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) December 13, 2017
Stephen Elliot dons his cap:
Proper scrap that. ?? Congrats to @KatieTaylor on retaining her title ? #TaylorMcCaskill
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) December 13, 2017
Jason Murphy asks the tough questions:
Would You fight Katie Taylor for €100,000 ?
— Jason Murphy (@JMurf51234) December 13, 2017
.@KatieTaylor retains @WBABoxing female lightweight title against @jaydi_mac at @YorkHallEvents. KT was forced to go through some rough patches against game American challenger as she lost point for holding but scored UD with cards of 97-92, 97-92 and 98-91. #TaylorMcCaskill
— Elliot Foster (@FreelanceFoz) December 13, 2017
Well done @KatieTaylor
What fight was the ref watching ?
McCaskill dragged her whole fight but Katie penalized for doing it once ? ?....— Nicky Byrne (@NickyByrne) December 13, 2017
And still... #BornForThis #TaylorMcCaskill pic.twitter.com/p4Xr5Oziwz
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) December 13, 2017
Post match Katie outlined her goals for next year eyeing up a fight on home soil to unify her division:
This sets me up perfectly for 2018. I'd love to have a homecoming fight in Dublin and I'd love to unify the division."
