Last update on. From the section Boxing
Taylor defeated Texan Han during the eighth round of the Headingley Stadium contest
Ireland's Katie Taylor was the undisputed world lightweight champion, but she was forced to work with Jennifer Han from the USA before taking home points in Leeds.
Han, 38, a former world featherweight champion, moved up 2 divisions to fight Taylor. Taylor was not impressed by her smart movements early on.
The 35-year old found her range in Headingley, and she dominated the Texan in round 8.
Taylor won her 19th professional title as Han started to show war wounds.
Although Han was not in doubt of Taylor's superiority, the 100-89 verdict by all three judges on their cards seemed a bit harsh.
After her win, the 2012 Olympic champion from Ireland said that she was happy but not too content.
"I knew she was very clever in there, but I would have preferred a stoppage. It wasn't a masterclass but it was a win.
Amanda Serrano stated that Taylor was her dream fight after she retained her WBC and WBO featherweight titles last weekend.
Han, a mother-of-two, deceived her underdog status in the first two rounds. Taylor began to struggle with timing in front of a crowd of 20,000 as the return of fans created a lively atmosphere at the Leeds venue.
Taylor won the first round with a couple of solid rights, but Taylor, who had her second child six months earlier, continued to be competitive.
Taylor's strong right put Han down in eighth, even though the former featherweight world champion claimed it was a slip.
Taylor started to dominate the final two rounds. Han was tired, but Taylor stayed on her feet and won the contest.
Taylor's win will lead to speculations of a high-profile bout with Amanda Serrano, seven-weight world champion, or a rematch against Jessica McCaskill, undisputed welterweight champion.
Before the pandemic, the fight was cancelled and the Irishwoman was due to meet Serrano in May 2020.
Puerto Rican Serrano was able to defend her featherweight belts last Sunday, before she expressed her desire to meet Taylor.
Taylor hopes to fight again before year's end, as she won her May bout against Natasha Jonas.
