10 steps to heaven: How Taylor triumphed, round by round

The judges at Madison Square Garden were split but here's our breakdown of the fight, round by breathtaking round 

All about the angles: Katie Taylor, left, and Amanda Serrano size each other up during their undisputed world lightweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

ROUND 1 After a quick exchange of jabs to begin proceedings amidst a powderkeg New York atmosphere, Taylor found her range with right hands to the head and body. Serrano soon answered in kind from the southpaw stance, thudding in backhands of her own as both combatants settled swiftly to the task.

ROUND 2 Taylor sought to better alter her angles here, working well up close as the pair rallied back and forth, the Bray woman at times using Serrano's palpable frontfoot aggression against her as she slipped out of danger. The Puerto Rican still remained irrepressible, however, following Taylor's quick combos with searing ripostes.