– Ciarán Gallagher reports from Wembley Arena, London
KATIE TAYLOR LEFT Polish journeywoman Karina Kopinska Thunderstruck as the former Olympic champion marked her move into the professional ranks with a vicious third-round finish at London’s Wembley Arena.
The Bray woman entered the ring to the sounds of AC/DC’s famous tune and the thunder of Taylor’s guns certainly tore Kopinska apart as referee Robert Williams correctly stepped in 58secs into the third round to stop the bout with the Pole trapped on the ropes and receiving a pummelling.
Trainer Ross Enamait had the Bray woman working three and four-punch combinations in her dressing-room to warm up before the 30-year-old took to the ring wearing black shorts with gold trim, appropriately enough for her decorated amateur history.
Taylor entered the bout as a 1/100 favourite and the London 2012 champion started with intent, throwing heavy right hooks to Kopinska’s head as well as working the Pole’s body with left hooks.
The durable Kopinska was game and shook off a thudding Taylor left hook early on in the second before the five-time amateur world champion began to tee off.
From the moment the bell rang to signal the third round, Taylor resumed pummelling her opponent, forcing her to the ropes and rapidly switching between a variety of shots to the head and body.
With Kopinska trapped in her own corner and under an unrelenting attack from Taylor, referee Robert Williams correctly stepped in to signal a halt to the contest at 58secs into the third, which took place at 132lbs – just below the pro lightweight (135lbs) limit but roughly equal to Taylor’s old amateur weight class of 60kg.
Around 3,000-4,000 were expected to be present and while arena staff estimated that such an attendance were in situ, the crowd appeared to possibly be slightly smaller in number but not far off.
Among those at ringside was Taylor’s London 2012 opponent Natasha Jonas – the pair having produced one of the best fights of the Games four years ago.
Also present was Matchroom Sports founder Barry Hearn, father of Taylor’s promoter Eddie, in what was an indication of how highly the company rates their new signing as the elder Hearn only tends to be present at Matchroom’s most noteworthy fight nights.
Tri-colours were dotted around the venue and carried by fans mingling around the concessions outside of the main fight hall.
Manager Brian Peters admitted that Taylor’s debut was slightly rushed in an attempt to build her profile in the UK and outside of Ireland as quickly as possible, with Saturdaynight’s debut scheduled in order to maximise interest in the Bray woman before her appearance on the undercard of world heavyweight title holder Antony Joshua’s headline against Eric Molina in two weeks’ time on December 10.
On the selection of journeywoman Kopinska as an opponent, the Meath man said: “Don’t forget it’s six rounds [Taylor fought four rounds as an amateur] and I suppose the whole situation came about a bit quick. But you’ve got to take these opportunities when they come along,” continued Peters. “Originally we were scheduled to have the first fight on the 10th [December] and then the 10th is a pretty cramped show, there’s a lot going on, Katie might have got lost a bit on a big card.
“But [Kopinska is] a tough opponent tonight, very durable, only stopped once [before],” added Peters.
There was early Irish success on the card as Mullingar’s JJ McDonagh recorded a sensational first-round knockout over Surrey native Jake Ball to claim the vacant WBA International light heavyweight title.
McDonagh had taken the bout at short notice but delivered in style in what was only his second bout in 20 months, blitzing his opponent.
Taylor told Sky Sports after the bout: “It’s an absolute privilege to be here, this is obviously a huge night for women’s boxing. This is my pro debut, I don’t want to get too carried away.
“This is only the start and I hope to be a multi-weight champion.”
– An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to Taylor as the 1/100 underdog; she was 1/100 favourite.
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