In a fight for the ages undisputed female lightweight champion Katie Taylor 21-0 (6) retained he titles by 10-round split decision against WBC and WBO featherweight champion Amanda Serrano 42-2-1 (30) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night.
Ireland’s Taylor, 35, boxed effectively off the back foot for the first three rounds while the hard-hitting Serrano pressed the action. The fight got closer with each progressive round as Puerto Rican southpaw Serrano, 34, found her range for her heavier blows.
If there was any doubt that Serrano wouldn’t carry her power up with her it was put to bed in the fifth when she rocked Taylor badly. But the 135-pound champion kept her wits about her and survived the trouble.
Serrano seemed to gas in the later rounds with Taylor getting the better of the action in the final three frames. There was a lot of phone booth action in the back half of the fight that kept the sellout crowd up on their feet and cheering with every last breath.
When the dust settled one judge had it for Serrano 96-94, while the other two judges had it for Taylor 97-93 and 96-94.
CompuBox had Serrano leading 173-147 in overall punches landed, including a 44-14 edge in round number five. They landed within six punches of each other in eight of the 10 rounds. Serrano landed 36% of her power shots, while Taylor landed 47% of her power shots.
Serrano’s 173 landed punches were the most by a Taylor opponent, while Taylor’s 147 landed were most by a Serrano opponent.
Both boxers were open for a rematch in the aftermath.
“I knew going into it I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter, a great, great person,” Taylor said.
“I have the heart to go with the skill and I knew I was going to be able to come through. What a fight, what a win, what a night.”
The live crowd of more than 19,000 people sent a message to boxing promoters.
“Katie is a great champion,” Serrano said afterwards. “She’s undefeated and undisputed, I’m truly honoured to share the ring. Women can sell, women can fight and women can put on a hell of a show.”
Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn suggested a rematch at Croke Park in Ireland and Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul agreed.
“I thought Katie just edged the fight. Two women changed the game tonight, but also provided a fight for the ages,” said Hearn.
“I know this man [Jake Paul] will want to run it back. I see a big rematch later in the year, but for now Katie Taylor is a legend of the sport and Amanda Serrano too. This is a massive night for the sport.
“Katie Taylor is one of the greatest things to ever come out of Ireland. If we don’t go back to Ireland for a fight, before her career is done, it would be a big shame. I think we should have this rematch in Ireland. Let Katie Taylor fight for the first time back at Croke Park.”
“100 per cent. She’ll go anywhere, whenever,” said Paul.
“The Irish fans are mad. We’ve got some unsettled business. Like I said, that was a draw at best. I thought Amanda Serrano took it. She had Katie Taylor hurt a couple of times, on the ropes. But it is what it is. Katie is obviously a true champion and if it was a close fight, the judges are obviously going to give it to her. But let’s run it back in Ireland.”
