Notebook: Serrano, with 3-minute rounds, defends vs. Tellez
Also discusses her thoughts on retirement; Anthony Joshua released from Nigerian hospital; Ioka scores KO in 118 eliminator; Paro-Donovan canceled; Quick hits galore; Show and tell
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Unified women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano has long championed female boxers fighting three-minute rounds like her male counterparts.
She has been so committed to it that she gave up her undisputed status and the WBC title because the organization will only sanction female bouts for two minutes, citing recommendations from its medical advisers.
So it will be three-minute rounds when she defends the WBO and WBA belts against late replacement Reina Tellez in the headliner of a Most Valuable Promotions card on Saturday (DAZN, 8 p.m. ET) at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Because we want change for the future,” Serrano said at Tuesday’s pre-fight news conference when asked about the importance of having three-minute rounds, although the bout will still be the female standard 10 rounds for a title fight. “I’ve been in the game for 17 years, and I want these women to get the equality, get the bigger paydays, get recognition, and get platforms. With MVP, we’re definitely doing that. We’re doing that, but we need a lot more visuals. A lot more people are backing us up as well.
“These women, as amateurs, they’re fighting three minutes, so why not do it as a pro? They have to change their whole game plan. They have to change their whole game and style to become professionals, but I just think it’s better for us women to be able to display our skills and our knockout power. On Saturday night, you’ll see most of these women here are fighting three-minute rounds (on the undercard) thanks to MVP. They’re giving us the opportunity, and I’m hoping that we can all get together and one day make a change so women’s boxing can be equal to the men’s.”