World featherweight champion Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano 46-2-1 (30) has relinquished her WBC title in response to the Mexican-based sanctioning body refusing to sanction female championship fight for 12 three-minute round.
The 35-year-old Puerto Rican made her stand this week following her success defence of her WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against Danila Ramos12-3 (1) at Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida, a bout she won by shutout.
That fight was contest over 12 three-minute rounds in a world first for the WBA, WBO and IBF.
In September WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said his organisation would “never” sanction women’s championship fight for longer than 10 two-minute rounds, citing safety factors.
“The WBC has done thorough research and at this point, unless there is absolute medical scientific clearance, we will never allow women to fight three-minute rounds,” Sulaiman said on the Boxing with Chris Mannix podcast.
“This is medical and scientific. But if we go into the facts and reality, why would you change if women’s boxing is so exciting and it’s so great at two minutes? It’s a different pace.
“Everyone loves to see women’s boxing and I’m certain that the two minutes have a lot to do with it. You don’t need three minutes to knock somebody out. The rationale is medical.”
That didn’t wash with Serrano. This week she made her position clear in a post to social media.
“I love boxing. I have given my life to this sport. No phone, no boyfriend, no parties. Just boxing,” Serrano said her statement.
“I am the only boxer, male or female, from Puerto Rico to become undisputed champion. I am the only female boxer to have won titles in 7 divisions. I am the first female boxer, along with Katie [Taylor] to headline Madison Square Garden. I am the first female boxer to make 7 figures from a fight and the same from sponsors.
“And I am the first undisputed female champion to fight 12×3 minute rounds.
“Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.
“The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title.
“Thank You to the sanctioning bodies who have evolved for Equality!
“If you want to face me in the ring, you have a choice. I’ve made mine.
“Thank you to all of my fellow fighters who have stood with me. Thank you to my team. Thank you to my fans. And above all, thank you God. I’m blessed.”
Belts or no belts, Serrano remains one of the best boxers in the world. The Ring ranks her number four pound-for-pound behind only Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron.