Saturday's fight against Christina Linardatou meant a lot to Katie Taylor. She knew she would make history with a win.
It wasn't easy, but Taylor got the job done, earning a gritty majority decision (94-94, 97-93, 97-93) to become the WBO super lightweight champion. Taylor (15-0, six KOs) is the third fighter from Ireland ever to hold world titles in two divisions.
"We knew from the start this was going to be a very, very tough fight," Taylor said in her postfight interview at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. "We said Christina was the best 140-pounder in the division. I boxed beautifully on the outside, I boxed smart for a change, instead of getting stuck into a fight this time."
Linardatou (12-2, six KOs) came out as the aggressor in the first round and forced Taylor to fight off her back foot. Taylor eventually got into a rhythm by fighting off her jab and staying more active.
Taylor had a scare in the eighth round, stumbling after Linardatou used her power advantage to connect with two hard right hands. Moments later, Taylor got clipped with a combination as the bell sounded. Taylor shrugged off the shots and continued with her jab in the last two rounds to win the fight.
There are plenty of opponents to fill Taylor's dance card going forward. A rematch with Delfine Persoon — whom Taylor defeated by a controversial majority decision in June — is in the cards, as are fights with multidivision world champion Amanda Serrano and undisputed female welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus.
Taylor wouldn't commit to anything following Saturday's fight, but she understands what is ahead.
"I dug deep against (Delfine) Persoon and came out with the victory," she said. "I'm now a two-weight world champion. I can’t wait for the rematch with Persoon and Amanda Serrano as well."
"I'm going to enjoy this victory and leave the matchmaking to my team," Taylor added. "This is more than a dream to headline a show in front of so many Irish people."