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Steven Paston
Job Done

Katie Taylor eases to second win as a professional after solid display in Manchester

The Bray native was comfortable throughout.

Ciarán Gallagher reports from Manchester Arena

KATIE TAYLOR HAS gone to 2-0 as a pro in the space of just two weeks following a fairly comfortable 60-53 unanimous points victory over the tough Viviane Obenauf at the Manchester Arena.

Punches in bunches were an early tactic from the former Olympic champion, who landed a sweet left hand on Obenauf’s chin late on in the opening round.

The Swiss-bassed Brazilian was down from a Taylor left hand in the second and, while a count was given, it appeared that Obenauf’s momentum had forced a slip before she quickly returned to her feet.

In a bout that started much later than had been anticipated, Taylor entered the arena just after 10.30pm to the sounds of ‘Supersonic’ by Manchester’s Oasis on a bill topped by the world heavyweight title clash between IBF champion Anthony Joshua and Texan Eric Molina.

Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina - Manchester Arena Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Wearing similar black shorts with gold trim to those worn by the Bray native during her debut win over Poland’s Karina Kopinska two weeks ago, Taylor was out to make a stylish impression in front of the 21,000 capacity crowd and a live Sky Box Office TV audience.

30-year-old Obeanauf, who entered the bout with a winning 9-1 record, was game and enthusiastic from the opening bell, but she struggled with the speed and precision of her decorated opponent.

Obenauf appeared to land her first clean blow in the third, but she failed to follow up on it as her overeager desire led to reckless swings.

Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina - Manchester Arena Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Taylor continued to land thudding short right hands into the fourth as her foe appeared to tire, but the fact that Obenauf continued to fight on meant that Taylor went past the four-round distance for the first time in her career since she stopped Kopinska in three (her amateur fights having been capped at four rounds).

Obenauf was cut badly over her left eye in the fifth, but referee Darren Sarginson allowed the round to close out before Taylor dominated the sixth and final round to close out a 60-53 unanimous decision win.

‘I won’t bite her ear like Mike Tyson!’ – Obenauf hoping to shock Taylor tonight

‘It’s going to be amazing’: Katie set for PPV debut in front of biggest crowd of her career

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