13 December 2017; Katie Taylor, right, and Jessica McCaskill during their WBA Lightweight World Title fight at York Hall in London, England. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

World lightweight champion Katie Taylor has extended her professional boxing record to 8-0 after outlasting American Jessica McCaskill in a stern 10-round examination at York Hall in London.

McCaskill had been expected to be Taylor's toughest test to date, and so it proved, with the American landing a few big shots of her own in between Taylor's flurries.

The American looked strong in the middle rounds in particular but Taylor finished the stronger to ultimately record a unanimous decision victory, 97-92, 97-92, 98-91.

After a tight opening round, Taylor's speed began to tell, and although the Olympic champion ended up on the canvas in round two, it was ruled a slip.

Round five was a particular highlight for Taylor, connecting with numerous shots that showcased both her speed and power.

However, McCaskill kept coming, and rocked Taylor for one of the few times in her professional career in the sixth.

The seventh proved similarly difficult for Taylor, and she was deducted a point for holding.

The closing three rounds decided the contest for Taylor, who kept her dangerous opponent away in the final stages to record another win.

It was Taylor's eighth fight, and her first defence of the world title she won in the Millennium Stadium in October.

It has been a whirlwind year for Taylor, who only made her professional debut against Karina Kopinska back in November 2016.

Taylor is expected to fight in Dublin in a big homecoming fight in 2018.

Online Editors