Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano delivered, for a second time, one of the fights of the year.
The two elite operators proved their sporting icon status with another twelve rounds in which Taylor survived being wobbled early to rally and take the close unanimous decision victory. Serrano – who was cut badly above the eye from a clash of heads – believes she did enough to win.
It makes it 2-0 to Taylor, who first beat the Puerto Rican great at Madison Square Garden back in 2022 – another result that was thoroughly debated.
Speaking to Seconds Out immediately after the rematch, Claressa Shields said that she felt the result for Ireland’s Taylor was a fair one.
“Now, I put my binoculars on today and watched the fight with these clear lenses that make me get closer to the ring. I thought today Amanda had the bigger shots in the beginning and middle of the fight, but who landed the better shots, who did the countering, who had the better defence? It was Katie Taylor.
I knew the fight was gonna be close, but once the headbutt happened Katie got real smart, kept aiming for the cut throwing big hooks. Amanda’s defence up top was not together – she just walked her down … She was trying but Katie fought off the back foot, countered, circled her. Amanda did not cut off the ring.
I think that Katie won the fight by a hair. It is what it is. I wanted Amanda to win. On this big stage, MVP is putting all this promotion and money behind her, you want to win on these big stages. But, as savage as she is and she fought through a cut and a headbutt, she did not win the fight to me.”
However, in a recent conversation with Serrano on social media, the five-weight world champion said she had rewatched the fight and now calls it a draw.
“My girl, I admire you! And you know if I can add anything to my style I’d add your big knock out power, you are awesome. 12, 3 minute rounds [and] you KO Katie! I rewatched the fight and I’d call it a draw.”
The nature of the style clash means every meeting between the pair will be electric. Fans are keen on a trilogy and both fighters have said they are happy to make it happen.
