Taylor vs McCaskill: We ask The Panel just how highly they rate Ireland's Katie Taylor?

By The Panel, Boxers, Trainers & Pundits

Image: Katie Taylor has won all seven of her fights

Following a remarkable first year in the paid ranks, Katie Taylor makes the first defence of her world title but how highly do our Panel rate the Irish star?

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Carl Froch

Taylor has been brilliant for women's boxing. The fact that we are here talking about her, with her headlining bills and winning a world title, shows just what an impact she's had.
Carl Froch

Technically she's great, she's got fast hands and a high work rate, so she basically has the lot. What I do like is the way she goes for it and is never going to sit back and win on points. She wants a grandstand finish and to impress. She is doing what Layla Ali did a few years ago and is doing it here and across Europe. She's a massive name.

Image: Katie Taylor and Jessica McCaskill both successfully weighed in for their world title clash

Tony Bellew

Taylor is pound-for-pound the best female fighter in the world, for me. Actually, forget the gender, she's pound-for-pound one of the best.
Tony Bellew

She's a brilliant fighter, goes to head and body well, has fast hands, hits hard and is levels above the people she is facing at the moment, I really don't know who could test or push her. I'm just looking forward to seeing her progress, I'm sure unification fights are out there. It's tough to compare her to Claressa Shields, who really can fight, because of the different weight classes.

Johnny Nelson

I think she stole the show in Cardiff, even from Anthony Joshua. That's how good she was. Not only was it a good scrap but her performance was the best of the night.
Johnny Nelson

Yes she is a big name, especially in Ireland, but she loves the game way more than the fame. I like - and have been impressed by - everything about her. Potentially she could be the biggest name, anywhere, for women's boxing. She doesn't have to play games, trash-talk, she stays out of the limelight and gets commended for her fantastic boxing ability. That's it.

Paulie Malignaggi

We've seen the skills coming through in female boxing down the years but Katie Taylor has that explosiveness to go with it.
Paulie Malignaggi

She can go from first gear to fifth gear really, really fast. She will go from being on the outside, stalking, eyeing her opponent then all of a sudden she closes the gap with fast feet and a five or six-punch combination. I love the way she does that and you can only do that if you are really passionate not just about your boxing and training, but your boxing style. She wants to entertain.

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Jamie Moore

I don't think you can say much more than she is an incredibly talented fighter. She is setting a new standard.
Jamie Moore

Her hand speed is great, her punching is great, but it is hard to compare her with other women boxers. Taylor is the one spear-heading women's boxing. In 10, 15, 20 years time, people, not just girls, will look back and want to be as good as and achieve what she has. Taylor is a phenomenally talented fighter.

David Coldwell

How good do I think she is? It's very difficult to say. Claressa Shields is an outstanding fighter as well. Either one could outdo the other and only time will tell.
David Coldwell

I rate Katie Taylor and think she's a very good fighter. It's no surprise that she became a world champion. I'm over the moon for her and her coach.

Also See:

You can watch Katie Taylor against Jessica McCaskill, Martin J Ward versus Juli Giner and Conor Benn, Lawrence Okolie, Josh Kelly and Joe Cordina in action at York Hall live from 6pm this Wednesday on Sky Sports Action.

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