Katie Taylor Defeats Amanda Serrano in Thrilling Rematch
Katie Taylor once again proved why she’s one of the best in boxing, retaining her undisputed super-lightweight title with a dramatic victory over Amanda Serrano. This rematch, which had been two years in the making, delivered the same electrifying energy as their first fight at Madison Square Garden.
Taking place on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, the highly anticipated bout saw Taylor edge out Serrano in a close contest. Serrano battled through a severe cut above her right eye and relentless attacks from Taylor, who was deducted a point for leading with her head. Each judge scored the fight narrowly in Taylor’s favor, solidifying her legacy as a dominant force in boxing.
“Well, it’s obviously hard to score the fight, but I knew it was an absolute slugfest in there, an absolute war,” Taylor said post-fight.
Amid mixed reactions from the crowd, Taylor added, “Thank God I won this fight, congratulations to Amanda. She’s a fantastic fighter. I think we agreed to 12 three-minute rounds in our next fight; the triple is on.”
Serrano’s Strong Start
Serrano came out aggressively in the opening rounds, forcing Taylor onto the ropes with a sharp left hand early in the fight. The champion looked momentarily shaken but managed to recover and stay composed. Serrano’s early confidence was evident as she stalked Taylor around the ring, controlling the pace and landing heavy shots.
Taylor, however, found her rhythm by the fourth round. Deciding to stand toe-to-toe with Serrano, she unleashed successive combinations that left Serrano bleeding and forced her to reassess her approach. The atmosphere in the stadium echoed their first legendary fight, with the crowd fully engaged.
Mid-Fight Momentum Swings
The middle rounds saw Taylor taking control. By the fifth, Serrano began showing signs of frustration, with her bleeding cut worsening and her punches losing some of their precision. Taylor, on the other hand, appeared more focused, landing calculated punches and using her footwork to create opportunities.
Serrano’s resilience shone through in the seventh, as she mounted a spirited comeback despite her worsening injury. Her corner worked tirelessly to stem the bleeding, allowing her to continue battling for the victory.
Controversy in the Later Rounds
Drama unfolded in the eighth round when Taylor was penalized for leading with her head after earlier warnings. While the deduction gave Serrano a much-needed edge, Taylor responded with a flurry of punches that kept the Puerto Rican challenger at bay.
“I didn’t agree with the point deduction. I certainly wasn’t fighting dirty,” Taylor explained after the fight. “Sometimes it gets dirty in there, and you have to prepare for those moments.”
A Spectacular Finale
The final two rounds were nothing short of breathtaking. Both fighters traded punches with incredible precision and determination, thrilling the 70,000-strong crowd. As the final bell rang, it was Taylor’s stronger finish that likely sealed her victory in the eyes of the judges.
“This is an amazing moment for women’s boxing; we put on a show for everybody,” Taylor said, expressing pride in their historic rematch.
Serrano, despite the loss, demonstrated immense heart and skill, further cementing her place as one of the best fighters in the sport.
Featured image credits to Embed From Getty Images
