Headline NewsNews

Ran the show not ran away – Taylor has different view than Linardatou – Champ believes she put on a clinic

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is liffey-crane-hire-1.jpg

Katie Taylor claims she ran the show rather than ran from Christina Linardatou on Saturday night. 

The dethroned champion was quick to come out and cry foul post her defeat to the now two weight world champion, hitting out at Taylor for running and going as far as to call the Bray native a ‘fake’ in the hours after her second career defeat. 

However, when reflecting on the performance, Taylor claims it was class rather than caution saw her emerge victorious.

The now WBO light welterweight champion of the world believes she put on a boxing exhibition to ease to victory over the Dominican Republic born Greek based fighter.   

“I am very happy with my performance tonight. It was a very smart performance, very clever. I boxed an exhibition tonight. I made the fight as easy as possible,” Taylor said after the clash. 

Taylor was aware that a brawl, something she admits she gets dragged into too often, would have suited her big punching foe, so as a result she worked hard at making the bout a skills one.

The undisputed lightweight champion of the world used made sure the clash was about her boxing ability rather than the will aggression of the now former champion – and would argue there is nothing fake about outing boxing your rival.

“I didn’t get dragged into the fight for a change. There was no point standing there trading shots with her. That is her strength. The plan was always to box on the outside. I think I stayed there for the whole fight.”

The Brian Peters managed fighter and ground breaking star has seen her skill set hailed time and time again throughout her time as a standout amateur and pro. 

However, her desire to entertain in the pro ranks has prompted her to neglect guile in a bid to show guts. 

It’s something that almost cost her dear in a tough Delfine Persoon fight and something she was mindful of after moving up in weight to fight a puncher.

“I definitely knew I had to stay distant throughout the whole fight. That is what Ross [Emanait] was drilling into me for the last few months. That is exactly what I did. I stayed on the outside. I moved very well. I was hopping off her very well. My jab was very good tonight,” she added before joking,

“I still came out with a big eye.

“She was a big puncher, so we knew not to mix it with her.”

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x