Taylor edges Serrano to retain undisputed crown in women's fight for the ages

May 01, 2022

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The biggest women’s fight in boxing history more than lived up to the considerable the hype on Saturday night.

In a bloody, all-out slugfest, Katie Taylor retained the undisputed lightweight title by split decision over seven-division titleholder Amanda Serrano in a meeting of two of the pound-for-pound best female fighters in the world before announced sold-out crowd of 19,187 Madison Square Garden in New York.

They were the first women to headline a combat sports event at the famed arena and they delivered with a memorable fight at the pinnacle of the women’s side of the sport.

After it looked like Serrano might stop Taylor in the fifth round, she stormed back late in the fight to eke out the close decision 97-93 and 96-93 while one judge had it 96-94 for Serrano.

Taylor (21-0, 6 KOs), 35, of Ireland, retained her title for the 14th time overall and the undisputed crown for the seventh time.

When the scintillating battle was over Taylor climbed the ring ropes draped in an Irish flag and drank in the adulation of the crowd.

“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is. I think we are both great fighters,” Taylor said. “Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history.

“Both of us have broken so many barriers in out careers. It feels great to be in this position really. Amazing fight. What a night!”

From the opening bell to standing in the middle of the ring and trading with abandon in the final seconds, the women poured out everything they had. Taylor had a terrible cut over her right eye that poured blood and she also had blood coming from her nose. Serrano too had a bloody nose and marked up face.

But they were all smiles after the fight and proud of what they had accomplished.

“They say nobody wants to see women. This place is jam-packed,” Serrano said. “We put on a hell of a show. Katie’s a great champion. She’s undefeated, she’s the undisputed champion. I’m truly honored to have shared the ring with you. Women can sell. Women can fight. And we put on a hell of a show.”

After Taylor appeared to win the first few rounds, Serrano turned the tables and nearly knocked Taylor out in a punishing and one-sided fifth round. She rocked Taylor several times but somehow she stayed upright.

“The fifth round I thought it was over,” Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, Taylor’s promoter, said. “Thought it was four-all after eight and Katie just edged the fight but it could have gone any way.”

Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs), a 33-year-old southpaw, also had a big sixth round, but Taylor got herself together and made a big come over the final few rounds to eke out the decision.

“Of course, I believe I won,” Serrano said. “I hit her hard with punches. I almost had her (knocked) out in one round. But it is what it is. I’m happy we finally got this over with. I’m the smaller girl. I’m still the champion at featherweight. The fans wanted this fight. I came up two divisions to fight the best. Who’s a true warrior? That says it all.”

Said Taylor: “I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person.”

The crowd included many of the best of women’s boxing, including Hall of Famers Christy Martin and Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, as well as and current female stars such as Claressa Shields and Jessica McCaskill, both of whom were part of the DAZN broadcast team, Mikaela Mayer, Alycia Baumgardner and Seniesa Estrada.

“Tonight we were making history with the biggest fight in women’s boxing,” Hearn said of the bout that guaranteed both women the first seven-figure paydays in women’s boxing history. “They made history with one of the greatest fight in the history of Madison Square Garden. Two women changed the game and provided us with a fight for the ages. I see a big rematch later in the year but for now Katie Taylor, a legend of the sport of boxing, and Amanda Serrano, so tough. Just a massive night for the sport of boxing.”

Both fighters, as well as Hearn and Serrano promoter Jake Paul, expressed interest in a rematch later in the year. Hearn said he would like to stage in Ireland, where Taylor has never fought as a pro and Paul said that was fine on their side.

“It was a draw at best (for Taylor). We thought we won,” Paul said. “Amanda performed amazing and fought a fight of a lifetime. That was Arturo Gatti versus Micky Ward. That was incredible. Both women fought their hearts out. This is a historic moment. Let’s run it back, September, October. The second fight just got a whole lot bigger.”

Photos: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing

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Taylor edges Serrano to retain undisputed crown in women's fight for the ages

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