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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Katie Taylor reacts to win over Jennifer Han in Leeds

Katie Taylor says she is confident that she will remain undefeated until the end of her career after seeing off Jennifer Han in Leeds on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old was given a solid test by her opponent, who turned professional in 2013 and is a former IBF featherweight champion.

It was Taylor’s first fight since she was pushed to the limit by her former amateur rival Natasha Jonas, claiming a narrow points win in May.

But it was soon evident there was little danger of the champion being stretched again by an opponent who boasts a solitary inside-the-distance win on her 22-fight record.

Taylor set the tempo from the start, landing accurate lead lefts and strong right hands as she wore down Han before dropping her with a short left in the eighth, although Han protested a slip.

The three ringside judges concurred that Taylor had won every round of the contest, handing her a 100-89 points victory.

Speaking after the bout, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist said: "I knew coming into this fight that there was no room for complacency.

"Every fight is a tough fight at this level, I knew that Jennifer was going to be a big challenge.

"I was hoping for a stoppage tonight but she was very good at surviving for the whole fight.

"She was fairly crafty, very slippery in there, but 100-89 shutout, it can't get much better than that."

She added: "I'm willing tio fight anyone at any weight category, I want the big fights.

"I want mega-fights, I want to be involved in the biggest possible fights in women's boxing.

"I'm fairly certain I will end my career undefeated, as a multiple-weight undisputed champion."

On fighting in Leeds, she said: "The atmosphere was just amazing. It felt like I was boxing at home in Bray really. I'm so grateful for the support.

"My father was from Leeds. He's a proud Leeds man so I feel like I'm boxing at home here.

"I hope this is the first of many times that I box here."

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