Another stoppage for Katie Taylor. Another source of frustration for the Irish lightweight who has craved meeting quality opponents but, at the moment, just can't get them.
Taylor was 1-200 to win her sixth professional fight against the 22-year-old from Texas, Jasmine Clarkson and justified those odds by winning in the same manner as she has with most of her opposition to date, this time with a third round stoppage.
Word has gotten around that Taylor is toxic material to a lightweight career with her first win on her US debut again underscoring a seamless transfer from amateur to the professional ranks.
"It is hard getting her matched, but I think we are one fight away from challenging for a world title", promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky after the bout.
So the 31-year-old Taylor’s name precedes her with her 9th place in the Boxing Rec female rankings again looking like a gross under estimate.
“I thought it went okay,” said Taylor. “It was a great experience here tonight. I thought I handled it pretty well. She’s a tough girl but I did get caught with a few silly shots as well.
“There are things I definitely need to improve on but overall I thought it was a good performance. The reaction out there was great.”
Taylor was able to land punches at will and dominated the Texan with her usual power and pace. Typically beating Clarkson to the punch as she has done in her previous five outings, Taylor outclassed the American, who had stepped up and accepted the challenge just days before the bout.
The first two rounds belonged to Taylor and although she was caught by Clarkson, her dominance was never in jeopardy. Faster and aggressive, Taylor was the go forward fighter scoring points at will.
The World and Olympic amateur champion then landed some big lefts in the third round with Clarkson’s corner seeing how it was going and not wishing their fighter take anymore punishment .
In a bout that was moving in just one direction, they threw in the towel and the referee waved it to a close.
The Texan lost for the seventh time in her past nine fights. But it is the first time she has been stopped. Taylor improves her numbers to six wins in six outings, four of those by stoppage.
“I didn’t really catch her with any significant big shot,” added Taylor. “I think it was just the constant pressure over three rounds. I didn’t expect the fight to be stopped but obviously the corner thought it was the right decision and I was happy enough.
“I definitely feel I’m ready for a world title. I’m definitely ready and willing to fight whoever who steps into the ring and I’m looking forward to fighting in Ireland a at some time.”
Taylor can only beat what is put in front of her and has had to rely on male sparring partners in the US to keep her at world level. Her team now have another bout planned before she makes her way back to Ireland for the anticipated title fight in Dublin at some stage in the autumn.
