Katie Taylor Becomes First Irish Boxer to Hold Three World Titles

Katie Taylor Becomes First Irish Boxer to Hold Three World Titles

By Dan McConnell

This past St Patrick’s Day weekend in Philadelphia, we witnessed history being made and something that has never been done in the history of Irish boxing.

Katie Taylor (13-0) stopped former WBO lightweight champion Rose Volante (14-1) in the ninth round to add the WBO title to her IBF and WBA titles, to become the first Irish boxer to hold three world titles at the same time.

Volante came out right in her opponents face in the first round but Taylor responded by cracking her opponent with a short right hand. Taylor began to use her footwork well in the third round, while landing her shots and staying out of danger throughout the fight, while looking relatively in control.

In the fifth, Taylor worked the body before switching to the head while Volante began to feel the quick hands and strong punching power.

In the sixth round Taylor caught the Brazilian again, but Volante bit down on her gumshield and responded as she continued to look to land her favoured right hand. In the next few rounds the Irish woman continued to put her combinations together.

The double champion smelt blood in the ninth round as she continued to land combinations in the hope to put away her opponent this time. However, after an accidental clash of heads the referee took a look at Volante’s suspected broken nose and called a halt to the action.

The Bray-native became the first Irish fighter to win three major world titles in the modern era after handing Volante the first defeat of her professional career. This victory now puts Taylor in line for an undisputed unification showdown against WBC champion Delfine Persoon (43-1).

Can Taylor become the most successful female fighter of all time?