Katie Taylor has made history in becoming Ireland's first ever unified world champion after beating Delfine Persoon in New York.
The Wicklow native added the WBC title to her WBA, IBF, and WBO belts with a controversial win to unify the women's lightweight division in just her 14th professional fight at New York's Madison Square Garden.
It came in hugely controversial circumstances, however. Persoon provided Taylor with the toughest test of her professional career, winning key rounds that appeared to put her in control of the contest.
Taylor however was awarded the win on the judges' scorecards, securing a majority decision win that prompted Persoon to immediately leave the ring in disgust.
Judges scored the fight 95-95 96-94 96-94 in Taylor's favour.
And the Olympic champion felt the decision was the right one after her bright start to the contest.
"I felt like I did enough at the start to win the fight," Taylor said in her post-fight interview.
"It was very close and she was very strong - it was a fantastic showcase for women's boxing. I knew it was going to be the hardest fight of my career but I am born for fights like these."
Taylor became the first Irish fighter to hold three world titles at the same time in the four-belt era when she beat Rose Volante in Philadelphia in March.
Going one better tonight sees her write her name in history.
Taylor was fighting on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s world title clash against Andy Ruiz Jr.
