Katie Taylor earns world title shot with seventh-round stoppage of Nina Meinke at Wembley
The Irish boxing sensation will now fight Uruguayan Cecilia Comunales for the lightweight world title
KATIE TAYLOR breezed her way to a straight fifth win since turning pro after the London Olympic Games, showing her pedigree when demolishing Germany’s Nina Meinke.
The biggest problem so far for Ireland’s Taylor, 30, as she chases the women’s lightweight world title by the end of the year is getting opponents who can give her a real test.
Her fast paced aggressive style blew away Meinke who was on a hiding to nothing as she just couldn’t cope with Taylor’s all out attack.
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Meinke did her A levels in Scarborough and worked in a scrap yard to build her muscles but Taylor, who started boxing aged 11 was too fast and too slick.
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Taylor, who won the WBA intercontinental title in her sixth bout, admitted: “I was a bit sloppy tonight and I’m critical of myself. I was expecting to be given a tough time but overall I’m delighted and it is a dream moment. My first of many titles, please God.
“I took my time because I wanted to get my range and once I’d found that I was in a position to push on.
”It’s incredible to be here on this stage at Wembley. I feel very strong and very good at this weight and I hope I can unify this division.”.
Meinke entered the ring with five KO wins in five but looked far too small to pose any real threat on Taylor, who landed at will in the first round.
The German tried to stay out of range by dancing around the ring in the second round but her defence was pierced constantly by accurate shots from Taylor.
With her face reddening under the onslaught from Taylor’s fists, Meinke attempted to fight her way back in the third but took some punishment that might have put others down.
Round four was a repeat of the previous rounds with Meinke trying but failing to stay out of trouble while Taylor dominated the bout with her turbo charged attacks.
Taylor upped the pace and the power in the fifth but Meinke doggedly hung on although she hardly landed a decent punch to worry Taylor.
By the sixth round the only way Meinke was going to win was finding a KO punch but with her energy drained she could hardly stand straight as Taylor bossed every round.
And to save Meinke from more un necessary punishment in the seventh referee Howard Foster stepped in to rescue her after a deep cut opened above the German’s left eye.
Promoter Barry Hearn said: “We are looking at October or November to fight in Ireland and that that could be for a world title.
“But next Katie will make her American debut in June or July.”