Sunday 27 November 2016 20:42, UK
Is Katie Taylor already ready for titles? five talking points from London as the Irish star impressed on her professional debut.
Irish amateur star Katie Taylor started her career in the pro ranks emphatically as she took just three rounds to overcome Poland's Karina Kopinska. It was the perfect debut for Taylor who proved her skill and class in front of a packed and fully supportive crowd at Wembley arena.
She has been given the task of changing the face of women's professional boxing and her dominant performance suggested that she could soon be fast-tracked up the ladder as she looks to match her outstanding amateur achievements.
There were no signs throughout her debut that she may need to take some time to adapt to the change in format and promoter Eddie Hearn will likely already be considering title opportunities for the Irish superstar.
Ohara Davies will have learnt a lot as he went the 12-round title distance for the first time in his career. It was a shutout points win for the Hackney super-lightweight, but his performance suggested that 'Two Tanks' still has a lot more left in the tank.
We have become accustomed to the powerful and fast stoppage victories for the freakishly long-limbed fighter, but in Saturday's victory over Andrea Scarpa in his first real step up in class, Davies seemed to box within himself.
While Davies started fast and quickly found his range behind a swift left jab, Scarpa was happy to enter survival mode and from there, Davies failed to really push the pace and force a stoppage.
Davies became almost predictable as he stalked Scarpa and looked for the big right hand finish and it was not until the 11th round that he started to really work the body in what could be considered a frustrating night's work.
Although Martin J Ward successfully defended his British title as he edged out Dundee's Ronnie Clark, lapses in concentration and a fall to the canvas again leave us none the wiser as to whether he can make the step up to European and world level.
It is no secret that the Essex-based fighter has lofty ambitions and he started Saturday's fight convincingly, skilfully finding his rhythm early on and working the distance well to create smart openings.
Despite the dominant start, Ward seemed to either relax or simply switch off and with that, he allowed Clark back into the contest and soon found himself on the canvas. Ward remains unbeaten, but if he does continue his rise up the boxing ladder, any lapses will soon prove costly.
It was a valiant and determined display from Ben Hall, but facing Carson Jones ultimately proved a step too far.
The Essex super-welterweight and Southern Area champion took an almighty leap of faith in challenging Jones and despite a confident, relaxed and impressive first round, soon fell short against the experienced American.
Hall seemed to injure his hand and shoulder in the contest, but whether it changed the outcome of the fight is up for debate. One thing for sure is that the youngster showed heart and guts as he punched through the pain barrier and he showed plenty of skill and technical ability to suggest he can certainly come back stronger.
Reece Bellotti and Ted Cheeseman came through their first real tests with flying colours and both can now enjoy the Christmas break knowing 2017 could have some very exciting opportunities in store.
Bellotti picked up his eighth win from eight as he stopped Ian Bailey in the seventh round to win the English featherweight title, while Ted Cheeseman took just two rounds to powerfully stop Lloyd Ellett in an English super-welterweight title eliminator.
The two fighters are progressing nicely and the manner of their victories suggest that there is more excitement in store for the future.
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