Analysis_Jessica McCaskill vs Katie Taylor 12/13/2017

*FIGHT ANALYSIS*

Jessica McCaskill vs Katie Taylor
WBA Lightweight Championship
York Hall, London
12/13/2017

A little over a week removed from one of the biggest Women's Lightweight bouts this year, Chicago's own (by way of St. Louis), Jessica McCaskill took a massive jump to challenge arguably the biggest name and recent World Champion, Katie Taylor from Ireland. Below are some of my takeaways from this entertaining headlining fight.

Katie Taylor is not invincible.

"It was a very very tough fight, probably the toughest fight of my career." Katie admitted in her post fight interview. I took that statement from Taylor as directly referring to the physical toll she took from her aggressive opponent. We all knew going into the fight that Katie had a massive advantage in experience and boxing technique as proven by her extensive amature career, my questions were about her defensive concentration. When I started to review some of her pro fights I noticed two things about her guard, her hands were habitually low and she exposed her body too often, both things that Jessica could capitalize on.

As early as the second round Jessica started to land some clean right hands that got Katie's attention and towards the end of the third, Jessica landed a left hand that slightly stunned Katie making her lean forward and hold. This consistent holding throughout the fight by Katie was used as a defensive strategy that ultimately cost her a point in the 7th round. But after a tough 6th and 7th round Katie took some great advice from her corner and finished the fight out-boxing Jessica in route to a well deserved victory.

Jessica McCaskill is a contender.

Going into the fight I had my concerns of Jessica challenging for a world title too soon due to her overall boxing experience. Jessica had her first fight in August of 2015 but didn't really get started until June of last year where she took a split decision loss to a debuting boxer. She ended up regrouping and picking up a couple of wins including a decision win over a good but undersized boxer in Carla Torres in January of this year. Torres was able to land frequently and could have really caused a problem if she wasn't a natural super featherweight. Those defensive deficiencies were definitely a concern for McCaskill supporters.

I have to give props to Team McCaskill and Jessica in particular for executing a solid strategy to compete and to win the fight. Initiating off the jab, working the body when close and maintaining consistent pressure throughout made it an entertaining bout. As I mentioned prior to the fight, Jessica could win in London even if she doesn't win the fight by giving a solid performance. Which she did! Even though it was her first 10 round fight, first world title challenge, and first fight outside of the US!

Moving forward.

Even more intriguing than the fight itself is the question of how these two boxers will develop moving forward. It's no secret that Katie is deservedly being maneuvered to be a female boxing superstar and I have no doubt that Team Taylor will review that tape and make the necessary adjustments in their pursuit.

Make no mistake about it, Jessica McCaskill is a contender in the lightweight divison and all the moves off this performance should be done with that in mind. At 33 years old her boxing future is now. Anything less than trying to get a fight with a ranked boxer or possibly one of the Argentinian champions will be a disservice to her boxing career.

_Puro
Three Rounds

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