New York, USA – In a historic night for boxing, Katie Taylor successfully defended her undisputed super lightweight championship, completing a trilogy sweep against Amanda Serrano at the first-ever all-women’s boxing card held at Madison Square Garden on Friday. The highly anticipated bout, which drew a sell-out crowd, showcased the fierce rivalry that has elevated women’s boxing to new heights.
The judges’ scores reflected the closeness of the fight, coming in at 95-95 and 97-93. After the bout, Taylor praised her opponent, stating, “What an amazing fighter. We’re history makers forever.”
A Cautious Start Leads to Intense Action
Serrano, representing Puerto Rico and fighting in her adopted hometown, received a warm welcome, with the New York Knicks dancers accompanying her entrance. Taylor, the 39-year-old Irish Olympic gold medalist, appeared stoic as she entered the ring for what many speculated could be her final professional fight.
Both fighters began cautiously, with only three punches landing in the opening round, a stark contrast to their previous aggressive encounters. The fight intensified in the third round as Serrano unleashed a flurry of blows, though she found it challenging to consistently connect with Taylor as the bout progressed. Following the tenth round, the two embraced, uncertain of the outcome. “I needed a lot of help down the home stretch today,” Taylor admitted, expressing immense respect for Serrano, calling her “what a warrior.”
A Rivalry for the Ages
Their first meeting three years prior at Madison Square Garden was already considered a landmark event, being the first time women had headlined a fight at the iconic arena. Taylor had also emerged victorious in their two previous encounters, including a controversial November clash where she was docked a point for headbutts. Friday’s fight was notably broadcast on Netflix, marking the streaming giant’s continued expansion into live sports, a move that analysts believe has boosted subscriber growth since its foray into NFL games last year.
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