Katie Taylor became the undisputed champion of the world on Saturday night, but no sooner was the verdict called as the inquest began.
The Bray boxer was far from at her best in Madison Square Garden but at the end of 10 gruelling rounds, was awarded the judges decision by a narrow margin.
’95-95 96-94 96-94,’ read the scorecards.
Those who read the fight the same way as the markers of the all-important scorecards however, were few and far between. Among the doubters was Carl Frampton.
The Jackal has sparred Katie in the past and spoke warmly and highly of her in the build-up to this fight.
Carl Frampton on sparring Katie Taylor.
"She was probably a better boxer than me, she battered me a couple of times"
This Saturday, she bids to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. @RealCFrampton knows what it's all about 👇 pic.twitter.com/GprDnnGCaT
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 29, 2019
It clearly would have been easier for him to say that she deserved the win here, but the Belfast native is a straight shooter who calls it as he sees it.
And his verdict might make for tough reading for Taylor and indeed for boxing fans in general.
‘In my opinion, the judges have got it wrong’, said Frampton on BBC Radio while covering the fight in New York.
‘It is heartbreaking to see Delfine Persoon intears. I thought she won that fight by miles and that was a disgraceful decision,” he continued.
In the aftermath of the fight, Katie Taylor responded to the criticism levelled at the judges’ decision.
“Yeah, I definitely felt like I done enough, especially early on,” Taylor told Sky Sports Box Office in the ring.
“Thank God for a great victory.
“That’s my nature I stand there and fight too much. I probably should have been more disciplined.
“I knew it was going to be that kind of fight, she’s a great, great champion.
“It was a very, very close fight but I definitely felt like I did enough…”
Proud as punch.
Katie Taylor, Irish hero 🇮🇪🇮🇪
The undisputed champion of the world 🎖️@sportsfile captured it perfectly 📸 pic.twitter.com/sOah6zdFJQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 2, 2019
