DAZN’s Mike Costello believes that Firuza Sharipova may be overawed by the occasion when she faces Katie Taylor this Saturday.
Undisputed lightweight Taylor takes on Sharipova in a co-main event with Conor Benn vs. Chris Algieri in Liverpool in an event shown world wide on DAZN.
Speaking at the weigh-in on Friday, Costello suggested Kazakhstani fighter Sharipova may be taken aback by the scale of the spectacle.
“I find this one really fascinating because if you look at the build-up all this week, Sharipova looks like a woman who is completely overawed by Katie Taylor, to be in her presence,” he began.
“But I thought I saw at the weigh-in, just maybe a slight turning on that, where she is just starting to see what a result it would be for her if she wins. Has all this worshipping and idolatry been a ruse in the week?
“I think she’s a fascinating character and we’ll find out on the night.”
Despite the slight down, Costello predicted that, “I think Katie Taylor has to win this.”