Philippines, 14 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SHARIPOVA: I WILL END THE YEAR BY BEATING KATIE TAYLOR

PhilBoxing.com




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:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 JULY 2026: Gassiev Stops Kadiru, Retains WBA Heavy Title; Suslenko Beats Joyce; Ataev Outpoints Uzcategui
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Jul 2026
  • Two World Title Fights are added to AJ-Prenga undercard at 'The Comeback' in Jeddah
    , Tue, 14 Jul 2026
  • Perez willing to have a trilogy with Eman
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • MANILA ROARS BACK: THE REYES CUP AND PHILIPPINES OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN FOR 2026
    , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • Jayr Raquinel Avenges Compatriots with First-Round Stoppage Over Kenbun Torres in Osaka
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev backs Gassiev for heavyweight unification fights after IBA Pro 19 title defence
    , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • Chess Kings rules Pacquiao rapid chess team tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • P1 million at stake in DC Trail Ultra
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Retains WBO Asia-Pacific Title with First-Round Knockout Win
    , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Sumabong wins OPBF, WBO Asia Pacific titles
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Philippine Blu Girls Ready to Take on the World’s Best at WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Germo, Turno rule 34th Yakult 10-Miler Trilogy Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • 1st Grandmaster Eugene Torre Open Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Murat Gassiev retains WBA heavyweight title at the spectacular IBA Pro 19
    , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Unbeaten John Michael Zulueta Headlines Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Jul 2026
  • Raquinel, Torres Make Weight for Sunday Showdown in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • Pacquiao, Briggs and Chisora share their views ahead of IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
    , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • LICA MALLS 500 SHAW TO HOST PACQUIAO CHESS TEAM TILT
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • Canelo vs Benavidez on Cinco De Mayo 2027? Maybe.
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev drives global combat sports expansion with historic wrestling partnership with RAF
    , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • July 14th Fight Card Featuring Hasim Rahman Moved to Tuesday, August 18th at ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York
    , Sat, 11 Jul 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano scores another Upset in Brisbane, Stops Tyler Blizzard in 7th
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.