As professional debuts go, this was downright scary.
Karina Kopinska was no match for Katie Taylor as the Pole was rescued in just the third round.
The Bray fighting sensation’s professional debut in London had the usual ‘Olé’ chant echoing around the stadium, it had the usual electrifying punch speed and it had all-too-familiar result: Katie Taylor’s arm being lifted aloft in triumph.
But this meant so much more and it is the start of an exciting new era for women’s boxing of which Katie Taylor is now at the head of.
In the first round, the Irish legend had no fear and she certainly felt no pressure. It might’ve been a different status attached to the fight but it was still a ring, it was still a fight and Taylor went at Kopinska with unreal intensity.
By the second round, she was ducking and weaving and seemingly striking her opponent with pinpoint accuracy off that ferocious left at any half chance.
By the third round, Kopinska was clutching her right eye in the corner. Taylor, as she does, smelt blood and went at her with even greater tempo until she forced the referee to intervene.
“It’s a huge night for women’s boxing. I just want to thank all the supporters,” Taylor spoke to the Wembley crowd afterwards.
“This is my pro debut, I don’t want to get too carried away. I have a lot more power, I have these smaller gloves on as well, but this is only a start.
“Boxing for a world title in Dublin or anywhere in Ireland would be the dream.”
Eddie Hearn has led the rallying cry though to get behind this athlete. Not a female athlete, not a women boxer. Just an athlete that is one serious operator.
“We’ve got to let these non-believers know, Katie Taylor can fight. Forget women’s boxing, it’s just boxing.”
Taylor’s not hanging around either. She’s up again in two weeks time on the undercard to Anthony Joshua’s fight on December 10.
Different status, same electrifying result#KatieTalor pic.twitter.com/9hE0DkcI6W
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) November 26, 2016
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
