Before a potential superfight with Amanda Serrano can come back into play, Katie Taylor will look to defend her lightweight titles against mandatory challenger Firuza Sharipova.
It was announced that Taylor will defend the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring Lightweight Titles against Sharipova, the WBA mandatory. The fight will take place on December 11 from inside the Liverpool Arena in England.
"I'm looking forward to ending the year on a high with another defence of my titles,” said Taylor. “I know there are some huge fights out there for me in 2022 but for now my sole focus is on December 11 and this mandatory defence against Sharipova."
Taylor, 35, made her professional debut in 2016. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist won the WBA Lightweight Title in 2017. She won the WBC and The Ring Lightweight Titles in 2019 against Delfine Persoon to become the undisputed champion. She would face Persoon again in a rematch a year later. Taylor beat Natasha Jonas and Jennifer Han in 2021, the latter in a September matchup.
Sharipova, 27, made her boxing debut in 2016. After losing her first career fight, she would win 14 straight bouts. She won two fights in 2021 via TKO, the last fight against Liubov Beliakova in September.
The card will also feature Conor Benn taking on Chris Algieri. This will be the fourth fight for Benn in 2021 and the second for Algieri.
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