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Boxing

Firuza Sharipova: I will take the belts from Katie Taylor

Firuza Sharipova: I will take the belts from Katie TaylorDAZN
Undisputed women's lightweight champion Katie Taylor faces mandatory challenger Firuza Sharipova on December 11th in Liverpool.

Firuza Sharipova is fired up ahead of her fight with undisputed women's lightweight champion Katie Taylor in Liverpool on December 11th.

Sharipova is the mandatory challenger for the WBA title and has been training with Sofya Ochigava, one of Taylor's amateur rivals, in her training camp.

"I am eight years younger than Katie Taylor, I am stronger than her and Sofya Ochigava helped me to prepare for this fight," Sharipova said.

"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."

Taylor beat Ochigava on points in a tense Olympic final at London 2012 and it's a result the Russian still disagrees with to this day.

Sharipova on the other hand has watched the fight to aid her preparation for Taylor and believes the Republic of Ireland fighter is too scared to face Ochigava in a rematch.

"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."

But while many predict an easy win for the queen of the lightweight division, Sharipova is hoping upset wins for George Kambosos Jr, Kiko Martinez and Alycia Baumgardner will inspire her to produce the biggest win of her career.

"Anything can happen in boxing. In the media, many people call me an underdog," Sharipova claimed.

"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."

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