Sport

Katie Taylor retains lightweight titles in unanimous verdict

Firuza Sharipova tries to draw Bray fighter into a scrappy affair but Taylor prevails comfortably

Katie Taylor lands a blow on Firuza Sharipova. Photograph: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images

Sat Dec 11 2021 - 22:35

Katie Taylor saw off the stern challenge of Firuza Sharipova to retain her lightweight belts.

The Bray fighter, current holder of the WBC, WBA, IBO and IBF titles, now has a pro record of 20-0 that includes 15 world title bouts.

Taylor was taken the distance by Sharipova who came into the fight with a reputation as a hard puncher, but ultimately was too skilled in her footwork and accuracy though Sharipova did her best to draw her into a scrappy encounter.

The final judges’ scores were 98-92, 97-92 and 96-93 in favour Taylor.

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Sharipova was docked a point in the sixth round for holding though by that stage she already had received a cut to the eye.

Following the win, Taylor’s attentions and that of her promoter Eddie Hearn turned to a potential Madison Square Garden bout in April against Amanda Serrano, an encounter which Hearn labelled “the biggest female fight possible”.

Earlier on in the evening, Belfast fighter Caoimhin Agyarko stopped the previously unbeaten Noe Larios in the ninth round to move his record to 10-0.