Katie Taylor successfully defended her undisputed lightweight crown with a punch perfect landslide points win against the hard as nails WBA mandatory challenger, Miriam Gutierrez at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday.
Taylor, (17-0, 6 KOs) who beat Delfine Persoon in their rematch in August, started in rapid fashion, catching the Gutierrez (13-1, 5 KOs) with big shots from the opening bell which surprised the challenger.
The Spaniard was like a rabbit in headlights, as she struggled to lay a glove on the Irishwoman.
A massive left-right combination from Taylor began the third, and Gutierrez was looking woefully out of her depth, as she caught more quick-fire and clean shots.
The one way traffic was showing no signs of stopping, and on the bell to end the fourth, Taylor landed a blistering right-left combination to floor her foe.
The one minute break wasnât long enough, and more leather came the 37-year-oldâs way, although she did get through with a couple of right hands in the fifth.
Taylorâs hand speed was on show in round six, as she pinned Gutierrez on the ropes, and the champion continued her push for an early win in the later rounds, landing with plenty of power punches.
To her immense credit, the Gutierrez made it to the final bell, but the result was a formality.
Scores of 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91 ensured Taylor easily kept hold of her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine belts.
âShe was very tough. I tried my best to get her out of there, but she was so strong,â Taylor told Sky Sports post fight.
âI thought I could get her out in the first round, but how wrong I was. Credit to her, she was very tough and durable. I felt great, Iâd fight every month if I couldâ.
âI feel like Iâll get better and better in the next few years. I want legacy fights, and to insure the next generation.â
Harper retains titles against Thanderz
Terri Harper defended her WBC and IBO Super Featherweight titles with a dominant performance in a commanding ninth round stoppage win against the previously undefeated Katherina Thanderz.
Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) made a bright start, and was beating Thanderz (13-1, 2 KOs) to the punch in the early stages with good footwork and combinations, with the Norwegian showing damage to her left eye in the first few frames.
Thanderz did come into things a bit more down the stretch, but was finding Harper difficult to pin down, with the Denaby nativeâs movement impressing.
After an accidental clash of heads in the ninth, Harper sunk a body shot in that hurt the visitor, whose nose was bloodied. After further head and body attacks, referee Victor Loughlin had seen enough and waved the contest off.
For Harper, she laid to rest the ghost of the draw last time out with Natasha Jonas, with an impressive display here and could be in line for a unification clash with recently crowned WBO champion Mikaela Mayer.
MEOW @TerriHarper96 I want some next #MayerHarper đ„
â Mikaela Mayer (@MikaelaMayer1) November 14, 2020
âThat just made my year. I questioned myself [after the Jonas fight],â the 24-year-old told Sky Sports post-fight.
âI hurt my hand in the fourth, and stuck to my jab and movement. I felt more mature in there. I stuck to a gameplan.
âApparently I canât work to the body but I just showed that I can! I want to fight the other champions and fight the best.â
Ball overcomes Guanini
Rachel Ball claimed the interim WBC Super Bantamweight title with a wide points win against IBF Super Flyweight champion, Jorgelina Guanini.
Ball (7-1) was originally due to contest the vacant WBA Bantamweight title with Ebanie Bridges, but the Australian had to withdraw through injury, and the the title was then removed when Guanini (9-2-2, 1 KO) couldnât safely make the weight, so a title was found at a higher weight, but not for Argentinian, who again missed weight.
Ball had a huge height advantage over her opponent, but Guanini did land occasionally with shots over the top.
The Brit had the last word in most of the exchanges, and put together some nice combinations throughout the fight. Guanini though was having her own successes, especially from wide angles, and it was growing into a close contest.
Victor Loughlin and John Latham scored the contest 99-91 , and Mark Lyson tallied 99-92 to crown Ball champion.
Farooq shines against Aviles
Kash Farooq finally made his Matchroom debut, and he didnât disappoint, claiming the vacant WBA Continental Bantamweight title in a one-sided win on the cards against the teak tough Angel Aviles.
Farooq (14-1, 6 KOs) quickly got into his stride, and went through a full repertoire of punches to both head and body of his opponent. The shots to the body were particularly impressive, and Aviles (20-6-1, 6 KOs) was taking a shellacking as the fight progressed.
The Mexican bravely made it to the final bell, where scores of 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91 saw the Glasgow native take the belt.
Cullen climbs off canvas to beat Docherty
The British Super Middleweight title eliminator went the way of Jack Cullen, who inflicted the first loss of John Dochertyâs career with a unanimous points win.
Cullen (19-2-1, 9 KOs) was dropped within the first 30 seconds of the fight, when a big left hook from Docherty (9-1, 7 KOs) caught him off balance, but it was a flash knockdown, and Cullen then had the better of the second and third, with Scot’s right eye cut.
The pair both had their successes, but Cullen was getting the better of things in the main with Docherty tiring down the stretch.
âThe Docâ rallied in the final two rounds as he went ten rounds for the first time, but former English champion Cullen looked to have edged the contest as it went to the cards.
Victor Loughlin and John Latham scored 96-94, and Bob Williams had it 95-94 in favour of the 27-year-old, who moves forward to a possible meeting with British and Commonwealth champion, Lerrone Richards or Willy Hutchinson, who are scheduled to meet in December.
Whittaker-Hart passes Springer test
Former Great Britain international Thomas Whittaker-Hart opened proceedings on the non-televised portion of the card with a hard-fought points win over Jermaine Springer, (7-2, 1 KO) in a really watchable contest.
It was the first eight rounder banked by both men, and referee Bob Williams scored Whittaker-Hart (5-0, 2 KOs) a 79-74 winner as the Tony Bellew-managed light heavyweight remained unbeaten.
