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.
Eddie Hearn: Katie Taylor just needs to win tonight!
Katie Taylor up next...
“Sharipova is an unknown quantity, she’s the first Kazakh fighter to fight for the undisputed title,” says Eddie Hearn.
“She hasn’t stopped moaning. They’re on edge. She’s technically good. Sometimes doesn’t look so, she fights like Taylor.
“She can punch. They’ve taken this really seriously. Sometimes Katie stands in the pocket and makes it harder than she needs to. She just needs to win tonight.”
Robbie Davies Jr reacts to victory
"It's very satisfying, Hank has been in with some top names. I know that wasn't the best version of Lundy, but I don't think anybody has done that to him.
“I caught him with a shot I didn't even know I'd hurt him.
“Now with Shane, I’m in a rebuilding phase, I’ve had two back-to-back knockouts.”
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Robbie Davies Jr vs Hank Lundy
Lundy’s legs unstable still. Davies Jr not emptying the tank yet though.
What a sensational finish! A right straight down the pipe.
Lundy falls through the ropes and can’t recover, a statement stoppage win for the Liverpudlian.
A first stoppage loss for the Philadelphian in five years, when Terence Crawford dispatched him.
Lundy has a leg injury and can’t attend the announcement for the winner as he receives treatment.
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Robbie Davies Jr vs Hank Lundy
Davies Jr pushing the jab out with plenty of pop early doors here.
Lundy looking illusive here too, he won’t be giving anything to Davies Jr here.
It’s a bit scrappy but suddenly Lundy in big trouble.
He’s all over the place, the Philadelphian, the bell saves him!!
It was short right from close range, Lundy was all over the place!
Davies Jr then slipped and stumbled low into the ropes, but that was a slip.
Conor Benn: I'm filled with rage after fights
“I'm filled with rage after fights. It's because all my career I've dealt with this and that,” says Benn.
“What about now, mate? It makes me angry. I was a young kid trying to achieve something, not living off my Dad.”
Up next is Robbie Davies Jr vs Henry Lundy.
Then it’s the co-main event: Katie Taylor vs Firuza Sharipova, expected about 9:30pm.
Then it’s time for Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri, expected about 10:30pm.
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Joe Cordina UD Miko Khatchatryan
“A GB graduate, he’s proven, we don’t live in a world of 20-30 fights, they fight the best amateurs on a regular basis,” Tony Bellew says.
“People turn over with four three-minute rounds. In the WBSB, like Lomachenko and Usyk, they can come into the pros and take on a faster track.”
Andy Lee adds: “Sometimes you need the progression and that fight between world level. I’m not sure this was it, like Conor Benn against Chris Algieri tonight.”
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Joe Cordina UD Miko Khatchatryan
Cordina gets it on the cards with all three judges giving it to the Welshman: 100-90, 98-92, 98-92.
A tricky night’s work, he’ll want to challenge for a world title in 2022, but that was tough breaking down the movement of Khatchatryan.
Andy Lee: “I think that sets up Cordina really well, a good fight, 10 rounds, if he is to go on to a world title, that’s perfect preparation for him.”
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