In a highly anticipated rematch, Katie Taylor narrowly defended her super lightweight championship against Amanda Serrano in a bruising contest that mirrored their previous bout two years ago. The fight, held in Arlington, Texas, concluded with a controversial unanimous decision in favor of Taylor, who was declared the winner by all three judges with a score of 95-94, prompting booing from the audience at the venue, which hosted the fight before the co-main event featuring Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
Taylor, now 24-1 with six knockouts, continues to hold the title of undisputed champion in both the super lightweight and lightweight divisions. Meanwhile, Serrano, who faced a significant challenge with a cut over her left eye from a head butt in the sixth round, showcased her resilience by continuing to deliver punches despite her injury. The 36-year-old fighter is now 47-3-1 with 31 knockouts.
Both fighters raised concerns about head-butting, with Serrano claiming that Taylor’s head-butts were intentional, echoing similar sentiments from their prior encounter. Taylor, however, dismissed these claims, focusing on her victory and asserting her dominance in the ring.
Throughout this intense battle, Serrano maintained a significant lead in landed punches, as evidenced by her post-fight statistics showing a 324-217 advantage; however, the judges ultimately sided with Taylor. The tension of the match was palpable, with the ring doctor assessing Serrano’s cut mid-fight, but the Puerto Rican boxer opted to continue and performed admirably, even seemingly having Taylor in trouble late in the fight.
This bout not only captivated boxing fans but was also a notable moment in the history of women’s boxing, following their groundbreaking event at Madison Square Garden. Promoters and fans alike are hopeful for a potential trilogy, which could further elevate women’s boxing and bring necessary attention to the sport.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter in their rivalry, both fighters have left a lasting impact on the audience, and their willingness to engage in such fierce competition is a testament to the growth and excitement in women’s boxing. The future remains bright for both Taylor and Serrano, as they continue to inspire future generations of athletes in the sport.