Katie Taylor vs Firuza Sharipova LIVE: Result, latest reaction and updates
Follow all the fallout from Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena
Katie Taylor retained her four lightweight titles on Saturday night, beating Firuza Sharipova via unanimous decision.
After 10 rounds of boxing at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, the scorecards read 98-92, 97-92, 96-93 in favour of the Irishwoman, who remains undefeated at 20-0. Eyeing a monumental meeting with featherweight queen Amanda Serrano, there was no room for error for Taylor as she took on an opponent who had previously lost just once – in her professional debut in 2016. Indeed, Sharipova was gutsy and looked to make things rough throughout – even being docked a point for a punch off the break – but the Kazakhstani could not match Taylor’s hand speed, superior footwork and head movement.
“She definitely wasn’t tougher than expected, we were well aware of the challenge,” Taylor said of Sharipova after being announced as the winner – and still undisputed lightweight champion. “We were prepared for a tough fight. She was very scrappy inside, it was hard to get [punches] off. Still undisputed, still undefeated, so I can’t complain.” The former Olympic, world and European amateur champion also acknowledged a possible showdown with Serrano, who fights next weekend, as “the biggest fight in female boxing”. The victory capped off a fine 2021 for Taylor, who has also beaten Natasha Jonas and Jennifer Han this year.
Follow the fallout from Taylor vs Sharipova below.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 2
Benn on the front foot right away. He slides a jab between Algieri’s high guard.
The pair step in at the same time, and Benn lands a mean right hook to the body.
Algieri is still light on his feet, bouncing up and down. Benn stays patient and this time lands a left hook to the body as his opponent finally comes forward.
Those hooks to the body are the go-to for Benn at the moment, but he now lands a left hand to the head of Algieri.
The challenger is beginning to look a little uncertain...
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 1
Algieri with a winging right hook to the head, but Benn avoids the next shot with a roll to his left, followed by a nasty left hook to the body.
Algieri again targets the head, but Benn is undeterred. He pushes forward, while Algieri skips about.
A nice step-in left hook to the body by Algieri late in the round.
Benn 10-9 Algieri.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 1
Algieri races to the centre of the ring!
Benn quickly backs him up, however, firing off a jab to the body then straight to the head.
Algieri loops to his right as he looks to make space, but Benn quickly closes range. He again drives Algieri back, and appears to hurt the challenger with a body shot...
Another good body shot, a left hook, and Algieri is breathing pretty heavily already.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
The fighter introductions have been made, the crowd in Liverpool are ready... here we go!
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Here comes Benn, he’s whipping in shots as he shadow boxes towards the ring.
Algieri waits in the ring, in an Argentina home jersey.
“He hasn’t faced somebody that can keep coming and push him back for 12 rounds,” says Bellew.
“You have to be very careful after four or five rounds.
“Can you adapt? Can you adjust? Algieri can, he can adjust his game plan. You need those qualities to be a world champion.
“Is Algieri still dangerous? Algieri is a force to be reckoned with.
“If Algieri comes through four or five rounds, he’s dangerous and has huge amounts of ambition.”
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano set for MSG next April
Eddie Hearn confirms a contract has been sent to Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions for the Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano fight.
He expects that fight to be at Madison Square Garden next April.
Serrano needs to beat Miriam Gutierrez next week on the Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley undercard in Tampa Bay.
Katie Taylor: The Amanda Serrano fight is the biggest fight in female boxing
“It’s the biggest fight in female boxing,” says Katie Taylor.
“It’s a privilege to fight there, at MSG, the biggest fight in the most iconic stadium.
“It’s beyond a dream!”
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