Taylor sets sights on Serrano rematch in Dublin after cruising to victory over Carbajal

Irish fighter successfully defends IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO lightweight world titles with wide points win

Boxing - Lightweight World Title - Katie Taylor v Karen Elizabeth Carabajal - The Drum Wembley, London, Britain - October 29, 2022 Katie Taylor celebrates with the belts after winning her fight against Karen Elizabeth Carabajal Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge

Katie Taylor and Karen Elizabeth Carabajal pose for photos after their undisputed lightweight world title fight. Getty

Katie Taylor celebrates after beating Karen Carabajal to win their undisputed lightweight world title fight. PA

Katie Taylor has her arm raised in victory after defeating Karen Elizabeth Carabajal. Getty

Katie Taylor and Karen Elizabeth Carabajal trade punches during their fight in London. Reuters

Karen Carabajal lands a punch on Katie Taylor during their fight. PA

Katie Taylor celebrates with her belts after beating Karen Carabajal. PA

Katie Taylor lands a punch on Karen Carabajal during their fight. PA

Karen Elizabeth Carabajal exchanges punches with Katie Taylor. Getty

Katie Taylor punches Karen Elizabeth Carabajal during their undisputed lightweight world title fight. Getty

Katie Taylor has set her sights on a rematch against Amanda Serrano in Dublin after successfully defending her undisputed lightweight titles with a comfortable win over Karen Elizabeth Carbajal at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.

Taylor, 36, turned in another fine performance, outclassing Carbajal to retain her IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO titles with a unanimous points decision, the three judges awarding her the victory 100-91, 99-91, 98-92.

The Irish fighter extended her unbeaten professional record to 22 fights and said she now wants to face Serrano again, after beating the Puerto Rican via a split decision on an historic night for women’s boxing at Madison Square Garden in April.

“We want the fight at Croke Park, 80,000 people,” Taylor said in her post-fight interview. “Every single person here will want to be there. It will be the biggest event in women’s boxing history.”

Taylor paid tribute to her travelling fans who had made the trip to Wembley, adding: “They’re amazing. Thank you so much everyone. It’s been an amazing six years as a professional, but the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for Croke Park next year.”

Taylor and Serrano made history by becoming the first women to headline a boxing event at the iconic New York venue and the pair put on a thrilling spectacle.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “We had everything in motion with Croke Park, with the authorities. September 15 this year, we were looking to go there for the rematch.

“Amanda Serrano is saying the right things now, but time won’t wait for Amanda Serrano. We hope it’s her, but it doesn’t matter who it is. But it has to be Ireland.”

Taylor looked back on her career after making her professional debut six years ago and said: “It hasn’t been bad, I have to say. It’s been a brilliant six years and thanks so much to Eddie for giving me this opportunity to headline another show.

“Women’s boxing is here at these heights because of the likes of Eddie for giving us these opportunities, so thank you so much Eddie.”

Taylor proved a step too far for Argentina’s Carbajal, who proved a worthy challenger but lost for the first time in 20 fights after coming second best in all departments.

Taylor, who turned professional in 2016, showed superior hand speed, footwork and greater accuracy, and pressed home her advantage in the second half of the bout.

Carbajal came out swinging in the penultimate ninth round and was cut on the right side of her face following an accidental clash of heads.

Taylor had the fight won heading into the final round, but in typical fashion chased a grandstand finish as two looping right hands jolted her opponent, who was comfortably beaten.