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.
Tony Bellew: Conor Benn is ready for anybody right now
“He’s ready for anybody right now, barring the top three welterweights in the world,” says Bellew.
Lee: “He invested in the body, he slowed him down, the finish was emphatic.
“Algieri was starting his punch at the same time, so it doubled his power. It was scary.”
Conor Benn TKO4 Chris Algieri
Conor Benn def. Chris Algieri
Benn had Algieri backed up against the ropes, feinted a duck, then fired off a straight one-two that sent Algieri lolloping to the canvas.
Conor Benn def. Chris Algieri
The medical staff take care of Algieri, while Benn refrains from celebrating.
Algieri seems to be okay, to the relief of the crowd.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 4
Algieri steps in with a low left hook, and Benn grabs him. The pair soon separate.
A slight lull in the action, before Benn clinches again. This time, Algieri is able to land some good shots in close.
Again they separate, and Algieri flicks out some jabs. Benn evades before landing a hook to the body on the angle.
A clean jab from Benn... then a left-right, and Algieri is OUT!
He is OUT!
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 3
Algieri tries a one-two, but Benn is just out of range.
Algieri looks to be cut above his right eye.
Benn 30-27 Algieri.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 3
Powerful right hands from Benn with his opponent against the ropes. Algieri blocks, but he’ll still have felt those shots.
Right straight to the head, left hook to the body; this is clever stuff from Benn, who looks very loose. The crowd applauds.
Algieri comes back with a right straight, but he’s unable to build any momentum.
Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri
Round 2
A left hook to the body by Benn, then one to the head that sends Algieri sprawling!
The challenger really goes flying, but it seems he tripped as much as he was hit.
Another good round for Benn anyway.
Benn 20-18 Algieri.
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