Taylor outlasts tough McCaskill, retains world championship

Sub Lead14-Dec-17by John J. Raspanti

By John J. Raspanti

Taylor vs. McCaskill

Katie Taylor, who captured the WBA lightweight championship just six weeks ago, outboxed rough and ready Jessica McCaskill over 10 action filled rounds to retain her title at York Hall in London, England Thursday night.

McCaskill had pursued Taylor for months on social media, challenging her to a fight. Taylor, amused, eventually accepted. McCaskill applied the same doggedness in the ring, pursuing Taylor from the opening bell, but Taylor, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, popped her with jabs.

Taylor (8-0, 4 KOs) moved to her left and fired stinging jabs. A few seconds later, she popped McCaskill with a combination. McCaskill (5-2, 3 KOs) landed a looping left. Taylor had the edge in hand speed, but McCaskill appeared slightly stronger. She can also punch. She connected with two strong rights hands in rounds three and four.

Taylor rallied back with crisp lead right hands and sharp jabs. McCaskill stalked forward throwing punches. Taylor glided to her right and clocked McCaskill with another right.

In round five Taylor continued to make McCaskill pay for her lack of speed. She used lateral movement to sting McCaskill with blows. McCaskill, though frustrated, let fly with a left in round six that stunned Taylor. The defending champion battled back as her hometown fans held their breath.

The determined McCaskill backed Taylor to the ropes and let her hands go. Most of the blows missed, but a few landed.

Taylor vs. McCaskill

Taylor was penalized a point for holding by referee Howard Foster. The decision seemed questionable as both fighters appeared guilty of the same infraction at times.

With three rounds to go, the fight was relatively close. Taylor closed the show by winning the last three rounds by going back to boxing. She stuck out her jab and moved away.

McCaskill stayed aggressive. Taylor used her superior boxing skills in rounds nine and 10. She circled to her left and connected with a right. McCaskill walked through the blows and punched. She likely needed a knockout to win. In the last round, she went for it, but Taylor stayed away and kept her left in McCaskill’s face. A big combination by Taylor bothered McCaskill.

The scores were 97-92, 97-92 and 98-91 all for Taylor.

Maxboxing had Taylor winning the fight by 97-92 tally.

“Very, tough fight--hardest of my career,” said the victorious Taylor. ”Thank you so much for the support. I boxed very well tonight.”

“I thought the fight was closer,” said McCaskill.

It wasn’t, but McCaskill had nothing to be ashamed about it. She fought hard and clean, and gave Taylor a real fight.

Taylor, who fought for the sixth time this year, wants to return early in 2018.