‘I knew I had to win the championship rounds’ – Taylor reacts to victory in yet another sensational fight

Katie Taylor produced a champions performance in the championships rounds to emerge victorious from another classic in Manchester last night.

And the Bray fighter has admitted she was well aware she needed to do as much to secure victory in her lightweight world title fight with Natasha Jonas.

Old Olympic rival Jonas produced a brilliant performance of her own and at one point had Taylor’s unbeaten and undisputed status under threat.

A dominant and heavy-handed seventh-round display from Jonas seemed to shift momentum the way of the Joe Gallagher trained southpaw – and Taylor’s crown seemed to be losening somewhat.

However, in true champion style the trailblazing, Taylor regrouped and finished the strong to retain her titles, her Queen of boxing crown and her unbeaten pro record.

The last round in particular played a vital part in the Irish sensation retaining her WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO world lightweight titles after a classic and close encouther of the boxing kind .

Speaking afterward she admitted she knew it was tight and knew she needed a strong finish.

“I’m just delighted with the win. What a fight,” Taylor told Sky Sports.

“Any time myself and Natasha have fought, it was like that, an edge of the seat fight. I dug deep and won the championship rounds and I’m delighted to get the win.

“You have heart, fight and grit in there and it’s everything you need for a great fight.

“I knew the rounds were close and I knew I had to win the rounds at the end. I knew I had to win the championship rounds.

“I’d love to see a rematch between her and Teri Harper and maybe down the road a rematch between ourselves. She has everything you would need to win a world title.”

Jonas had no issue with the result or the scoring, aware she lost a close fight. The 36-year-old was disappointed to have lost but seemed to take solace in the fact she proved herself world-class.

“I knew it was close and I knew I had to put it in. Any time I am asked to step up, I do it. We could have been top of the bill here.

“When she is ready, when Eddie is ready and the team are ready, I want to do it again.

“I believe I belong at this level and I want to stay here. I want to be a world champion.

“It’s all learning. It’s only my 12th fight and I want to be here at the championship level.”