Taylor’s back - and back with a bang!

Omarah Taylor opens up on Joklova. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

AFTER close to a year spent considering her future in the sport, Omarah Taylor is back with a bang!

On last night’s (Friday’s) Hangar show, the former Team GB fighter simply had too much of everything for the Czech Republic’s Jennifer Joklova who was halted in the fifth of a scheduled six rounder.

Joklova, who faced Taylor at short notice, showed courage and a willingness to fling punches. That was never going to be enough against a former top amateur and current Midlands prospect of the year.

In emphatic victory, 31-year-old Taylor showed she has rekindled her passion for the sport.

“I thanked my opponent at the end,” Omarah said. “She took the fight at a couple of days notice. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have boxed.”

Pretty early on in the middleweight encounter, Jaklova (10st 5lbs) probably regretted the decision to accept the bout.

All business from the start, Taylor (11st 2lbs) nailed her with hard jabs, rattled off sharp one-twos and sunk right hooks into the body.

Jaklova, who lost for the third time in four outings, lacked the speed and skill to turn the tide. She could only bravely soak-up what was becoming a beating.

By the third she looked tired and I felt referee Ryan Churchill could’ve halted the contest in the fourth. By then Jaklova’s nose was bloody and she was shipping a steady stream of punches to head and body.

Mr Churchill decided enough was enough at one minute 17 seconds of the following round, stepping in as Jaklova, pinned in a neutral corner, took a barrage of blows.

That’s win number four for Taylor, who made her debut back in December, 2023.  

In the dressing room, she said: “I’ve taken a bit off time (off) to figure out my position in boxing. I’ve taken time off and I’m back enjoying my boxing.

“There’s no criticism (of my performance) tonight. It was good, man.”

It was very accomplished. Much stiffer tests than Jaklova await Omarah, however.