SHARIPOVA: I WILL END THE YEAR BY BEATING KATIE TAYLOR
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Dec 2021
WBA Mandatory Challenger prepares for Undisputed clash with help from Irish legend's former amateur foe
Firuza Sharipova has revealed her secret weapon as she approaches her fight with Undisputed World Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday December 11, live worldwide on DAZN.
WBA Mandatory Challenger Sharipova (14-1, 8 KOs) is a sizeable underdog for her clash with the Irish legend but the Kazakh will come to Merseyside fully prepared thanks to her training partner - Taylor's greatest amateur rival, Sofya Ochigava. One of the few fighters to ever defeat Taylor, Russian Ochigava is an amateur boxing legend in her own right and is now making her way in the pros.
Ochigava was edged by Taylor in their tense 2012 Olympic final in London and has always been outspoken in her disagreement with that result. Now on the cusp of a Super-Featherweight title fight, Ochigava has been training with opponent-turned-teammate Sharipova, potentially providing her with the keys to victory.
"I am eight years younger than Katie Taylor, I am stronger than her and Sofya Ochigava helped me to prepare for this fight," revealed Sharipova. "No one else knows how to fight Taylor like Sofya Ochigava. Therefore, not only I, Firuza Sharipova, will be in the ring against Taylor, but the intelligence of Sofya Ochigava, who has prepared me very well for this fight, will be with me."
"Sofya has been in my camp from the very beginning, has passed on all her knowledge to me and has done her best to help me defeat Katie Taylor. I watched their fight in the final of the Olympic Games and I’m sure that the judges helped Taylor. Sofya knocked her down, which wasn't counted. Sofya was better in the fight, she won it. Taylor is usually not afraid of anyone, but in that final fight, Sophia saw fear in her eyes. Even now, Taylor refuses to fight Sofya."
Buoyed by recent upset wins on Matchroom cards for George Kambosos Jr, Kiko Martinez, and Alycia Baumgardner, Sharipova notes how, "anything can happen in boxing. In the media, many people call me an underdog. But I will prove that I was underestimated, and on December 11 I will end the year by beating Katie Taylor. I am flying to Liverpool to win the hearts of the whole world and take the belts from Katie Taylor."
Taylor vs. Sharipova is part of a huge night of boxing in Liverpool, Welterweight star Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) faces the toughest test of his career yet in the shape of former WBO Super-Lightweight World Champion Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KOs), ‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina (13-0, 8 KOs) continues his push for Super-Featherweight World Title action in 2022 after scoring a sensational first round knockout win over the USA’s Joshuah Hernandez at Fight Camp in August, former European, British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight Champion Robbie Davies Jr (21-3, 14 KOs) takes on Henry 'Hank' Lundy (31-9-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental Title, undefeated Belfast Middleweight talent Caoimhin Agyarko (9-0, 6 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Noe Larios Jr (14-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA International Title, former Team GB star Calum French makes his professional debut at Super-Lightweight, Tokyo Olympian Peter McGrail (1-0) steps though the ropes for the second time as a pro against Engel Gomez (8-3-1, 4 KOs) over six rounds and is joined on the bill by his debutant brother Joe McGrail who fights over four rounds at Super-Bantamweight, Chatteris Featherweight Jordan Gill (26-1, 7 KOs) returns, while former professional footballer Paddy Lacey (1-0) has his third pro fight.
Limited remaining tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £300 are available to purchase via StubHub.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026