Katie Taylor vs Han LIVE: Result, latest updates and reaction after points win for undisputed champion
The Irish legend moves on with Amanda Serrano likely up next
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Your support makes all the difference.Katie Taylor defended her undisputed world lightweight title with a shut-out points win over American Jennifer Han at Headingley Stadium.
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.
Conor Benn made his frustration plain despite cruising to his 19th consecutive professional win over experienced American Adrian Granados.
Benn dominated from the start of the contest but Granados’ back-pedalling style did not go down well with the 24-year-old, who angrily implored his opponent to fight in the final round.
Granados, who had previously acquitted himself well against high-calibre opposition including Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter, perhaps wisely refused to oblige, and the judges duly delivered their 100-90, 99-91, 97-93 verdicts.
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Taylor vs Han: Round 10
Han throws the kitchen sink at Taylor, but the champion responds in kind with some nice work of her own.
Taylor’s speed is obvious, as its her punches that are getting through the guard with much more regularity.
It's a clear win for the 35-year-old from Bray, and a spirited effort from Han who gave it her all.
Taylor vs Han: View from ringside
Tom Kershaw: “It's become a somewhat scrappy fight, but Taylor is coasting towards a wide points decision as it stands. Han has been resilient but hasn't shown the power to cause any great jeopardy.”
Taylor vs Han: Round 9
Han regains her composure while Taylor’s pressure is relentless.
The American is digging deep late on, but she has slowed significantly in the closing stages.
One more round to go...
Taylor vs Han: Round 8 - Han goes down!
Han gets a standing count but it's unclear if its due to a punch or a slip.
Another clear round for Taylor, who has barely lost a second of this fight.
Taylor vs Han: Round 7
A Taylor round again.
The Irish fighter is forcing Han to miss over and over.
Taylor also landed a number of cute right hooks which have marked up the eyes of Han.
Taylor vs Han - Round 6
Taylor forces the issue even more, with her superior engine now showing.
Han needs to get on the inside to have any hope of winning rounds here.
REPORT: Conor Benn’s future shines bright despite frustration at going distance with Adrian Granados
There was to be no spectacular finish this time, despite Conor Benn’s wild intent, but that lack of firework will do little to curtail his rising star, writes Tom Kershaw.
In what was supposed to be the toughest test of the Briton’s career, he bludgeoned his way to a wide unanimous decision against Adrian Granados, fighting with an instinctive and almost untamed fury, refusing to take so much as a backwards step.
The 24-year-old’s boxing career has been lived under a gifted and cursed inheritance, affording him endless possibilities and exposing him to the harshest critics. And while this performance still displayed a rudimentary streak that occasionally inhibits his talent, there can be little disputing the validity or ferocity of his credentials. In defeating a seasoned veteran like Granados, who has shared the ring with some of this era’s best, Benn has cemented his status in a gloried welterweight division fraught with danger. The champions may guarantee a new peak of peril, one that Benn may not yet be prepared for, but that in itself is a testament to his rapid ascent.
This was certainly no easy task, either. After the impossible simplicity of his win against Samuel Vargas in April, when Benn landed a stunning knockout punch in the first round, the nature of this victory proved he can conquer adversity. Initially scheduled to take place in August, the bout was postponed after Benn contracted coronavirus, with the delay threatening to throw his training camp into disarray.
Conor Benn’s future shines bright despite frustrating victory over Adrian Granados
The Destroyer was forced to settle for a wide points victory in Leeds, as the wily American danced throughout the 10 rounds
Taylor vs Han: Round 5
Taylor has the best of the exchanges, with her speedier work catching the eye.
Han tries to force the issue, but most of her shots are caught by Taylor - who will already have a decent lead on the scorecards.
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