Two stars of different corners of the fighting game have struck up a heartwarming friendship in the underbelly of Boston’s TD Garden last night.
It was there that the former Olympic champion Katie Taylor was defending her IBF and WBA lightweight world titles against Cindy Serrano, coming out on top in facile fashion, winning all ten rounds to claim the bout by decision.
She returned to her dressing room to find a compatriot, the UFC fighter Conor McGregor, there to greet her, and he was fulsome in his praise of her efforts.
“You’re an animal! You’re nice as pie but you’re ruthless in there!”
“Thank you. It’s an honour to see you live.
“I have your back all the way and I’ll back you all the way whatever you need. It’s an honour for me to come here and see you. You’re an Irish hero.
“I’m proud of you and who you are as a woman - inside the ring of course - but outside it as well, you do your own thing I’ve got a lot of respect for that.”
McGregor nor any of the other members of a raucous crowd at the Boston venue last night saw Taylor unleash with the ferocity that she has done at times during her 11-fight professional career to date.
Her Puerto Rican opponent on the night was more interested, seemingly, in lasting out the length of the fight than doing anything that might have helped her win it.
Taylor even resorted to a bit of in-fight showboating to try and bait her out, which her famed new fan must have appreciated.
Watch McGregor coach Taylor from ringside and their encounter after the bout below.
