The curtain closed on one of boxing`s most significant rivalries as Katie Taylor once again defeated Amanda Serrano, securing a unanimous decision victory to defend her undisputed super-lightweight championship. The win at Madison Square Garden marked Taylor`s third straight triumph over Serrano, cementing her legacy in their historic trilogy.
In the third meeting between the two decorated fighters, held for the WBO, WBC, IBF, and WBA 140lb titles, Taylor was awarded the fight by scores of 97-93 on two judges` cards, while the third judge scored it even at 95-95. This reflected yet another closely contested battle, maintaining the trend from their previous encounters, albeit with a distinct strategic flavor this time.
Returning to the very venue that hosted their groundbreaking first fight, Taylor improved her professional record to 25-1 (6 KOs). This bout, anticipated as the potential final clash between the two, featured less of the all-out warfare seen previously. Serrano, known for her aggressive power, fought with a more cautious approach, seemingly prioritizing distance and tactical exchanges over sustained pressure. Taylor, adapting to this, skillfully controlled the center of the ring and capitalized on counter-punching opportunities as Serrano moved forward.
The atmosphere remained electric, with a passionate, sold-out crowd filling the historic arena for its first all-women`s card. While the action might not have reached the frenetic pace of their initial fight, the tactical battle kept spectators engaged. Rounds were often tight, with both fighters having moments. Serrano attempted to corner Taylor at times, but the champion proved elusive and effective in her exits. Despite being marked under the right eye in the eighth round, Taylor dug deep and appeared to land the more telling blows in the final two rounds, crucial for swaying the judges.
Following the decision, Taylor, showing immense respect for her rival, seemed hesitant about a potential fourth meeting, quipping with a touch of technical honesty, “I just don`t want to fight Amanda Serrano again. She punches too hard.” She added, “I have a huge ton of respect for Amanda, she`s such a warrior. It`s a pleasure to share a ring with her. We have made history three times. We are history makers forever.” Reflecting on her performance, she stated, “I thought I was boxing very smart, she wasn`t able to catch me very much tonight. But it`s always close against Amanda.”
Serrano acknowledged her strategic shift, explaining, “We tried to stay with the long punches and one twos, and it just wasn’t enough.” Her attempt to fight “smarter not harder” didn`t yield the desired outcome against Taylor`s persistent skill and ring generalship.
The night`s drama wasn`t confined to the main event. Savannah Marshall, returning to boxing after a foray into MMA, suffered a notable upset. In an IBF and WBO super-middleweight unification bout at 168lbs, Marshall lost a split decision to Shadasia Green. Despite Green facing a point deduction for holding, two judges scored the fight in her favor, derailing Marshall`s comeback plans.
The impressive undercard featured several other significant matchups:
- Ellie Scotney added the WBC title to her IBF and WBO belts, becoming a unified super-bantamweight champion with a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over veteran Yamileth Mercado, ending Mercado`s six-year reign.
- Former two-weight world champion Chantelle Cameron delivered a comfortable unanimous points win against Jessica Camara.
- Ramla Ali made a successful return after a year out, securing a tight unanimous verdict over Lila Furtado.
- Undisputed super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner retained her titles with a unanimous decision win against Jennifer Miranda.
The event underscored the continued growth and talent within women`s boxing, showcasing competitive matchups across multiple divisions, highlighted by the conclusion of the historic Taylor-Serrano trilogy and an unexpected upset on the undercard.
Murray Blackwood