Katie Taylor vs Karen Elizabeth Carabajal LIVE: Stream, latest updates and fight result tonight
Re-live fight updates and undercard results as Taylor retained her lightweight titles
Katie Taylor retained her status as undisputed lightweight champion on Saturday, outpointing Karen Elizabeth Carabajal in London to keep alive a rematch with Amanda Serrano.
Taylor was a unanimous-decision winner (100-91, 99-91, 98-92) at Wembley Arena as she kept hold of the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles, while remaining unbeaten as a professional. The result likely sets up a rematch between Taylor and Serrano, whom the Irishwoman narrowly outpointed in April in arguably the biggest bout in women’s boxing history. The chances of a second clash between the women going ahead depended in part on Taylor’s outing in London on Saturday (29 October), and the Olympic gold medalist delivered by seeing off Carabajal, 32, with relative ease.
Argentine Carabajal (19-1, 2 knockouts) entered Wembley Arena unbeaten and was a game opponent for Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs), but the latter settled after a slightly sloppy start, improving as the main event progressed. While Carabajal looked to overwhelm and outmuscle Taylor at times, the Irishwoman looked to fight behind a neater offence. A left hook to the head was a consistently effective weapon for Taylor in the early rounds, in which she at times got sucked into messy exchanges with her challenger.
As the bout wore on, Taylor began to target the body of Carabajal with increasing frequency, using straight, stabbing shots to the Argentine’s midriff. In the later rounds, Taylor employed an overhand right to good effect, as accuracy started to elude Carbajal, who sported a cut around her right eye. Overall, it was a professional performance from Taylor in her first fight since beating Serrano. Re-live fight updates and see all undercard results below:
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 9
Two rounds to go. Early on in the ninth, an overhand right is on the mark for Taylor. That’s been her best shot, with the left hook working well for the champion earlier in the fight.
Carabajal is missing with increasing frequency. Taylor tags her with a right cross. Now the Irishwoman goes to work on her opponent’s body.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 8
A step-in jab connects for Taylor, who is looking better and better as this fight nears its conclusion.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 7
Taylor’s coach warns her to be tighter with her jab and not let Carabajal catch her with right hands over the top.
Taylor leads Carabajal into the corner then pivots away and tags the Argentine.
Carabajal misses and eats a one-two of hooks from Taylor.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 6
We’re past the halfway mark of this main event.
Carabajal steams forward and clasps Taylor before firing off hooks to the body of the Irishwoman.
Taylor is stabbing straight shots into the midriff of Carabajal intermittently.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 5
Carabajal blocks a winging right hand. Now she comes forward. Taylor exhibits more good head movement, though, and picks her shots wisely.
A right gets through and causes some bruising around Carabajal’s left eye. The other one is also marked.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 4
The lightweights grapple in the corner, where Taylor tries to create space to get her shots away. She manages to do so and lands a flurry of hooks.
Carabajal closes the distance, however, and lands a number of heavy punches in a chaotic spell. Taylor needs to be careful in these moments.
The fighters move back into the open, where Taylor shows her ability to close distance in sharp fashion.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 3
Taylor is going to the well with that lead left hook fairly regularly.
Both women trade lleft hooks simultaneously now. Taylor absorbs Carabajal’s punch well.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 2
Carabajal comes forward with a messy combination, and Taylor makes her pay with slicker work.
Both women are landing, but Taylor’s output is tidier. A counter right cross staggers Carabajal slightly as the round comes to an end.
Taylor vs Carabajal LIVE
Round 1
Ten two-minute rounds, as is customary in women’s boxing at world-title level.
Carabajal looks to get on the front foot early. She just evades a left hook from Taylor, who goes back to that shot a couple more times.
An overhand right just about connects for Carabajal, who then eats left hooks to the body and head.
Taylor’s superior speed is on show already.
“There’s only one Katie Taylor,” is the song echoing around Wembley Arena.
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