There are levels to boxing and Katie Taylor simply drowned Miriam Gutierrez out with her world-class skills Saturday night.
The undisputed world lightweight champion defended her crown, turning her titles' defense into nothing more than a glorified sparring session with her unanimous decision demolition of Gutierrez. Judges at The SSE Arena Wembley in London had it 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91 all in favor of Taylor, who improved to 17-0. DAZN News had it 100-89 for Taylor.
From the opening bell, Taylor used ferocious flurries of punches to blast Gutierrez with shots. The pressure led to Taylor dropping her outclassed mandatory challenger at the fourth round bell with a sharp left hook to the jaw.
Gutierrez survived the round and the fight, but not without the Irish boxing sensation pouring on the punishment in an attempt to get a stoppage. She pummeled Gutierrez with body shots and thudding punches across the jaw all fight long, but Gutierrez made it to the final bell.
"I was definitely trying to get her out of there at times," Taylor said as the only gripe of her performance.
Moving forward, her Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn mentioned names such as Cris Cyborg, Amanda Serrano, Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus as potential bouts that would help Taylor build upon her growing legacy and legend.
"I think there's no fight she wouldn't take," said Hearn.
Taylor listened to her promoter carefully and agreed.
"There's no shortage of big fights out there," the undisputed lightweight champ added moments later. "It's all about legacy. I want to keep making history in this sport."
Taylor vs. Gutierrez fight results
- Katie Taylor def. Miriam Gutierrez by unanimous decision (100-89, 100-89, 99-91) to defend WBC/WBO/IBF/WBA lightweight titles
- Terri Harper def. Katharina Thanderz via ninth-round TKO to defend WBC super featherweight title
- Rachel Ball def. Jorgelina Guanini by unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 99-92) to win vacant interim WBC super bantamweight title
- Jack Cullen def.John Docherty via unanimous decision (96-94, 96-94, 95-94); Super middleweight
- Kash Farooq def. Angel Aviles by unanimous decision (100-90, 100-91, 99-91); Bantamweight