Tag Archives: Amanda Serrano

Posted on 05/01/2022

By: Hans Themistode

From the moment Amanda Serrano inked her name on the dotted line, Katie Taylor knew she was in for a rough outing. However, despite entrenching herself in a grueling eight-week training camp and regardless of her near 10-year experience at the highest of levels, Taylor was given everything she could handle.

In the main event slot at Madison Square Garden late last night, both Taylor and Serrano engaged in an all-out war. Initially, it appeared as though Taylor would have little to no trouble boxing the former seven division world titlist from the outside. Nevertheless, as the rounds began ticking by, Serrano began finding her rhythm.

With the roar of her Puerto Rican crowd, Serrano closed the gap on Taylor in the fourth. In the fifth, with the momentum in her corner, Serrano produced her best round yet. During the period, Serrano muscled Taylor against the ropes and landed pernicious shot after pernicious shot. Although Taylor attempt to clench and hold, Serrano was relentless in her assault.

Having cleared her head in the following round, Taylor bounced back nicely as she boxed when possible and brawled when needed. In the 10th and final round, Taylor pounded her gloves against one another and met Serrano in the middle of the ring. From there, the two threw countless blows. While Taylor’s legs seemed to buckle at various stages during the final exchange, the former Olympic gold medalist bit down on her mouthpiece and continued to give it her all.

In the end, an elated Taylor screamed in jubilation as she was handed a close split decision victory. With her moment in the sun officially arriving, Taylor opted against patting herself on the back. Instead, she willingly gave the spotlight to her unbelievable opponent.

“I had to dig deep in there tonight,” said Taylor to a group of reporters following her victory late last night. “I had to produce a career-defining performance to actually win. What an amazing champion Amanda is, phenomenal fighter. We definitely got the best out of each other for sure.”

As the months turned to weeks and the weeks into days, the anticipation for Taylor vs. Serrano only intensified. Nonetheless, while it was considered the greatest female fight beforehand, Taylor was unsure if it would usurp what she considers the greatest moment in her career.

In 2016, Taylor proudly represented Ireland in the Olympic Games. As she stood pridefully on the podium wearing her gold medal, Taylor always believed that her Olympic moment would be the crescendo of her career. Even as she eventually went on to win world titles and become an undisputed champion, Taylor refused to put any of her professional achievements above her Olympic moment.

However, considering the magnitude of her bout against Serrano, becoming the first female fighter’s to headline Madison Square Garden, and the nonstop action that ultimately ensued, Taylor’s fondest memory has just taken place.

“It was the best night of my career for sure. I wasn’t sure that if anything could reach my Olympic gold medal moment but tonight was absolutely the best night of my career.”

Posted on 04/30/2022

By: Hans Themistode

For the better part of the past decade, both Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano separated themselves as the cream of the female boxing crop. Ultimately, considering their dominance, they were intrinsically linked to one another. Following years of speculation and built-up demand, they became the first women to headline a boxing event in Madison Square Garden’s famed halls.

While both were proud to break through women’s untold barriers, neither were satisfied with simply taking part, as they attempted to etch their names in female boxing history forever.

Desperate to defend her undisputed lightweight crown, Taylor asserted herself in the opening round. The former Olympic gold medalist boxed and moved, landing stinging right hands at will. Serrano, undaunted by Taylor’s firepower, pushed forward, planting her feet and firing. While she was relentless, Taylor often made her miss and subsequently made her pay.

In the second, it was much of the same from Taylor. She bounced up and down on her toes and darted in and out quickly, making Serrano miss with her looping right hand. With fans of Taylor cheering in approval, Serrano quieted the noise at the end of the second with a flurry.

While still lively, Taylor began slowing down in the fourth thanks to a number of shots to her midsection. Witnessing her opponent weakening, Serrano upped her aggression in the fifth. The moment the bell rang, the former seven division world titlist charged at Taylor, pinning her up against the ropes and unloading.

Appearing to be more concerned with playing defense, Taylor attempted to roll with many of Serrano’s shots. However, at the halfway point of the round, Serrano connected on a clean left hand. The force of the blow left Taylor on unsteady legs, forcing her to hold for the duration of the round.

With the momentum in Serrano’s corner, Taylor returned to her boxing pedigree. She pranced around the ring, making Serrano miss wildly before connecting on several shots of her own. As Taylor continued to regain her legs, Irish flags around the arena rose in unison. Taylor, unsurprisingly, obliged her undying supporters by fighting Serrano in the middle of the ring. A smiling Serrano welcomed Taylor’s aggression with her own, landing uppercuts on the inside and forcing the unified champion back.

At times, Serrano appeared to be the fresher fighter and attempted to impose her will on the former Olympic gold medalist. Seemingly running on fumes in the 10th and final round, Taylor and Serrano sauntered to the middle of the ring and began fighting with reckless abadon. Though both fighters were clearly wobbled, neither were willing to give an inch as they through hellacious blow after hellacious blow.

As the final few precious seconds ticked off the clock, both women embraced – bloody, bruised, and exhausted. The normally deafening crowd quieted as the scorecards were slowly announced. Although their contest was ultimately close, Taylor retained her undisputed crown, winning via split decision.

Posted on 04/29/2022

By: Hans Themistode

At one point, Amanda Serrano was convinced that this moment would never come.

Following years of stalled negotiation talks, the former seven division world titlist believed that unless a massive payday was floated in her direction, a showdown against Katie Taylor would simply never happen.

Ultimately, to her enjoyment, Serrano was proven wrong. Now, in just a few short hours, both females will look to thrill the New York crowd as they become the first female boxers to headline Madison Square Garden.

Admittedly, with huge expectations come even bigger nerves. On numerous occasions, Serrano has fought in the much smaller Hulu Theater, not only as a professional but also as an amateur, winning the Golden Gloves nearly two decades ago in that same arena. Never, however, has she competed in the big room.

Although a jam-packed crowd of over 18,000 thousand is expected in attendance, Serrano reveals that despite her ever-growing nerves, she believes she was built for this very moment.

“I shine under pressure,” said Serrano during a recent press conference. “I’m just excited to go out there.”

Taylor, a former Olympic gold medalist who will put both her undefeated record and her IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC lightweight titles on the line, is currently viewed as a slight betting underdog.

Regardless of the betting market, Taylor is coming off one of the more active and successful years of her career. In addition to emerging victoriously in all three of her ring appearances, Taylor dominated the competition. The 2016 gold medalist began her pugilistic year by handing Miriam Gutierrez the first defeat of her career. Taylor would then follow up that victory with one-sided showings against Natasha Jonas and Jennifer Han.

Not to be outdone, Serrano produced a banner year of her own. The former seven-division world titlist pounded Daniela Romina Bermudez, resulting in a ninth-round stoppage victory. To close out her year, she dominated former Taylor opponent, Miriam Gutierrez.

As Serrano now retreats to her room, she anxiously watches the clock. While she looks forward to sauntering to the ring and taking part in the biggest fight in female boxing history, Serrano is even more eager for Sunday morning to arrive.

For the 33-year-old, she has already envisioned her victory come fight night. However, once Sunday morning appears and the Puerto Rican native rolls over in her grandiose bed, she believes she’ll be greeted by her four newly won titles.

“I’m so looking forward to Sunday and being undisputed champion.”

Posted on 04/29/2022

By: Hans Themistode

The moment it was originally announced that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would officially square off, the boxing world salivated as countless consumers began anxiously emptying their bank accounts in order to buy tickets.

For years, both Mayweather and Pacquiao were considered the best fighters in the sport of boxing. However, fans would continually fulminate over the possible outcome. Following years of failed negotiations, the two ended their rivalry in 2015. While the pent-up demand resulted in 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, the fight itself was a bit of a disappointment in Eddie Hearn’s opinion.

The longtime promoter packed his bags and attended the event live in person. Although the hype surrounding the fight was at an all-time high, Hearn was displeased with the actual product.

Now, with Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano just a few hours away from taking place in New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hearn believes their upcoming clash bears several similarities to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, albeit without the stench of what he maintains was an awful fight.

“This is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao for women’s boxing but at the right time,” said Hearn during an interview with FightHype.com. “That fight massively underdelivered on the night. I left there going, that was a bit shit. You ain’t gonna leave MSG on Saturday with that same feeling.”

Taylor, 35, has established herself over the years as one of the greatest fighters in female boxing history. In addition to her spotless record through 20 professional fights, Taylor grabbed Olympic gold in the 2016 Games. Presently, the Irish native will attempt to defend her undisputed lightweight crown when she faces Serrano, female boxing’s only seven division world titlist.

Considering that Hearn has been in Taylor’s corner from the very beginning and admitting that he’s watched and cheered for Serrano from a distance, Hearn believes that the hype surrounding this fight will live up to it.

“Just watch what you’re about to see. Every Katie Taylor fight is thrilling. Every Amanda Serrano fight is thrilling, vicious, and brutal. It can only be a cracker.”

Posted on 02/01/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Shakur Stevenson is anxious to get his hands on more gold.

Following his 10th round stoppage victory over former WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring in October of 2021, the 24-year-old former Olympic silver medalist nabbed his second world title in as many weight classes.

With his newly won trinket now safely tucked underneath his arm, Stevenson is on the verge of adding even more hardware to his collection. According to promoter Bob Arum, both Stevenson and WBC titlist Oscar Valdez, have agreed to financial terms for a proposed bout. While the details of their showdown are still being worked upon, Arum revealed that their contest is being targeted for April 30th, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Although Stevenson believes his showdown against Valdez is one of the biggest in all of boxing, he also feels sympathetic for another high leverage contest that’s set to take place on the other coast.

In what many believe is the biggest fight in women’s boxing history between current undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor and former seven division titlist Amanda Serrano, Stevenson is uneasy about their contest taking place on the same date. Currently, Serrano vs. Taylor will also face off on April 30th, in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Considering the high stakes of both showdowns, Stevenson is hopeful that something can be worked out to allow everyone involved their moment in the sun.

“To be honest,” said Stevenson on his social media account. “I hope they can stagger the times for my unification with Valdez and Serrano vs. Taylor for April 30.”

Stevenson’s statement comes just a few days after the controversial comments made by Arum. The longtime promoter was originally unaware that Taylor vs. Serrano was set to take place on April 30th. However, when asked if he would be willing to move Stevenson’s unification showdown against Valdez to a later date to acquiesce Taylor vs. Serrano, Arum barked at the request.

“I mean, as good a fight as [Taylor-Serrano] is, come on,” said Arum to IFL TV. “You know, whatever reason it is, people don’t particularly pay attention to the women’s fights. The answer is ESPN made the schedule and they couldn’t care less. I don’t want to denigrate fights, I don’t want to be accused of being anti-women in sports, but I’m telling you, this is like the Premier League against women’s football.”

Since making those public comments, Arum has received pushback, including from Jake Paul, who, along with Eddie Hearn, will be promoting Taylor vs. Serrano.

“Men like this dinosaur r the reason women haven’t been given a fair shake in many parts of society,” said Paul on his social media.

While Stevenson hasn’t gone as far as to denigrate the character of his promoter, he has voiced his opinion and would like both his showdown and his female counterparts, to receive plenty of the spotlight.

“Let the ladies shine too and the fans watch both fights.”

Posted on 01/27/2022

By: Hans Themistode

For the past several years, both Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have reigned near the top of the female mountain top. Now, they’ll look to prove who’s the best female fighter in the world.

After years of pent-up demand from the fans, both Taylor and Serrano will finally lock horns on April 30th in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Taylor, who won Olympic gold in 2012, will place her undisputed lightweight titles on the line when she takes on the former seven division world champion. Since nabbing every piece of lightweight hardware in 2019, Taylor has defended her undisputed tag a total of five times. Most recently, Taylor took care of business against Firuza Sharapova, winning a wide unanimous decision in December of 2021.

With the victory, Taylor waited patiently for Serrano to hold up her end of the bargain, something she accomplished with ease. The Puerto Rican native dominated former title challenger Miriam Gutierrez one week after Taylor secured her victory.

Now, with arguably the biggest fight in women’s boxing set to take place, Serrano is excited to share the ring with another great fighter.

“This is a fight I’ve wanted for a long, long time,” said Taylor. “I’m just excited for it to finally take place because these are the kind of fights I’m in the sport for,” said Taylor. “People have been talking about this fight for years and there have been times I wondered if it was ever going to happen so I’m very grateful to Eddie Hearn, everyone at Matchroom, DAZN, and Madison Square Garden for getting it over the line.”

For the 33-year-old Serrano, a showdown against Taylor is one that she’s craved for years. Although the hard-hitting Puerto Rican has fought only once at 135 pounds since 2018, she proved that she has the power and overall skills to compete with much bigger fighters.

During her recent showdown against Gutierrez, which took place at 135 pounds, Serrano battered her throughout the night. With the biggest fight of her career now only months away from taking place, Serrano thinks back to all of the sacrifices that she made to get to this point. Ultimately, Serrano believes her years of hard work were well worth it.

“It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to headline Madison Square Garden and do so against one of the greatest boxers of all time in Katie Taylor,” said Serrano. “Since I was a young girl, my only boyfriend has been boxing. I have dedicated my life to him, and this event makes that commitment worth every minute. On April 30th I am going to make history for me, for my team, for my family, for Puerto Rico, for every Latina and Latino, and for all women worldwide.”

Posted on 12/18/2021

Katie Taylor held up her end of the bargain. 

The undisputed lightweight world champion made it look incredibly easy against Firuza Sharipova during her last ring appearance on December 11th. With the former Olympic Gold medalist retaining her titles, all that was left was for Amanda Serrano to take care of business against Miriam Gutierrez. Following ten lopsided rounds of action, she did just that. 

In front of a jam-packed crowd at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, Serrano appeared to be on her way to having a short night. The former seven division world titlist pounded away at the durable Spaniard and appeared to be on her way to picking up the stoppage victory. However, while she did her best to clock out early, Gutierrez proved to be far too strong. 

Still, even with the 38-year-old surviving the early onslaught, Serrano easily and thoroughly outboxed Gutierrez to the tune of a wide unanimous decision victory. 

Posted on 12/16/2021

By: Hans Themistode

As women’s boxing continues to garner more and more attention, some of the biggest names associated with the sport have voiced their displeasures pertaining to one particular subject. Two-minute rounds.

For a number of years now, women boxers such as multiple division titlist and two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields, along with former titleholder Heather Hardy, have urged the powers that be to change the rules in their sport. Unlike their opposite male counterparts, who are given three minutes per round to take of business, women are afforded two.

While Shields continues to bang the drum loudly for a change, Amanda Serrano shrugs her shoulders as she has absolutely no problem with the current format of women’s boxing.

“I’m doing well with the ten two minutes,” said Serrano to a group of reporters. “I do what I have to do. I have 30 knockouts out of 41 fights so I’m okay with the two minutes.”

As mentioned by Serrano, her ability to end fights within the two-minute time frame is well chronicled. The Puerto Rican star has scored stoppage victories in three of her last four fights. And, come this Saturday night, she’ll look to make another statement was she takes on Miriam Gutierrez.

The two will officially lock horns at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, and serve as the co-main event on the night, as Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley face off for a second time.

Although Serrano doesn’t feel the need to join the fight to help bring three-minute rounds to the sport of women’s boxing, she has played a vital role in its overall growth. Now, with the rapid improvement the sport has seen in terms of earning power and popularity, Serrano is proud to be considered one of the faces of women’s boxing.

“I believe I’m one of them,” continued Serrano. “The girls the last couple of weeks are stepping up their game. I’ve been seeing great championship fights. I’m super excited to see the growth of women’s boxing. We have tremendous champions out there and I’m proud to be one of them to open doors for women’s boxing.”

Posted on 09/30/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Jake Paul isn’t just making his mark in the boxing world by stepping into the ring. He’s now doing so on the business end of things as well.

Earlier this year, the social media star and Nakisha Bidarian, Paul’s advisor, founded Most Valuable Promotions. With their first big move, Paul and his promotional company has inked former nine-time women’s champion, Amanda Serrano. Paul’s announcement may have come as a surprise to the boxing world but after building a close connection with Serrano, Paul believes it was an easy decision.

“She’s always been super cool,” said Paul to ESPN. “I feel like we’re very similar in many ways. I have to vibe with someone to work with them. We’re like a family at the end of the day with MVP.”

Aside from Serrano’s effervescent personality, the 32-year-old is considered one of the best fighters in the world. Currently, Serrano’s numerous world titles, which are spread across seven different weight classes, represent a world record in women’s boxing.

As Paul took a deep dive into Serrano’s overall skills and accomplishments, not only does he believe that the 32-year-old deserves a spot on his promotional roster but he’s also fully convinced that this is just the first step towards her superstardom.

“When you go to the statistics, Amanda being the number one pound for pound boxer and greatest Hispanic female athlete of all time. It’s a no-brainer. She’s gotten this far with just her skills and not really much help. She hasn’t had someone with a big platform to really put her on. She’s so marketable and really, the sky is the limit.”

In Serrano’s most recent trip to the ring, she easily retained her WBC, WBO, and IBO featherweight titles against Yamileth Mercado. Their contest took place at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, in Cleveland, Ohio on August 29th, and served as the co-main event to Jake Paul’s showdown against former UFC star, Tyron Woodley, a contest Paul would ultimately win.

Following the lopsided victory, Serrano pocketed $75,000 for her efforts. Paul, however, later revealed that he would be giving Serrano $500,000 of his own money to add to her purse. Serrano though, claims that she hasn’t received the full bonus payment.

Regardless of the financial disagreement, Serrano has decided to allow Paul to guide the latter stages of her career. With one of the most recognizable figures in all of women’s boxing now fully a part of his stable, Paul is now convinced that he is ushering in an entirely new wave of how to handle the business side of boxing.

“There’s a new era of boxing and there’s a new way of promoting these fights and there’s a new way of to become a big fighter. She already has the skills and now we’re going to add our secret sauce to the equation. I see a massive, massive future for her.”

Posted on 08/29/2021

By: Hector Franco

This Sunday, the boxing world is buzzing or groaning, depending on whom you talk to about the upcoming Showtime PPV headlined by social media star Jake Paul as he takes on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. 

The event will be held in Paul’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. 

Paul will be fighting in his fourth professional boxing match, and Woodley will be making the move from mixed martial arts to boxing in his debut bout. 

Much of the attention of this event has gone towards Paul, who has a talent for promoting events no matter what the general public thinks of him. 

The co-main event will feature one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound in Puerto Rico’s Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (40-1-1, 30 KOs). She will defend her WBO and WBC female featherweight titles against WBC super bantamweight female champion Yamileth Mercado (18-2, 5 KOs). 

Serrano is currently the third-ranked women’s fighter on ESPN’s and Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list, only behind Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields. The Puerto Rican is arguably the most decorated women’s fighter at this time, holding world titles in seven weight classes ranging from super flyweight to super lightweight. 

Moreso than her accomplishments moving up and down weight classes, Serrano is able to deliver entertainment inside the squared circle being one of the few women’s boxers who can consistently score knockouts. 

“Expect this to be a war because I always bring the fireworks,” Serrano said during a media session in training camp. “I have a fan-friendly style, and I’m going out there to finish my opponent. That’s what the fans want to see.”

Serrano, who hasn’t lost a fight since 2012, won’t be facing on paper her most challenging opponent in Mercado. However, she will be fighting on the most crucial stage of her career since meeting Heather Hardy in 2019 at Madison Square Garden. 

It’s taken the world of boxing years to get to the point of just showcasing women’s boxing on a regular basis. This led to many leaving the sport for MMA. 

Most famously, Holly Holm left boxing and became the first fighter to hold world titles in boxing and MMA. Serrano followed in her footsteps in 2018, fighting for Latin MMA company Combate Americas. 

When opportunities didn’t present themselves in boxing, Serrano wasn’t deterred by choosing to stay on the sidelines. She chose to forge her own path. 

“I train and fight to be the best in the world,” stated Serrano at the final press conference. “I hope that people can acknowledge that the women are champions as well and that we work as hard as the men. I’m showing everyone that women’s boxing is great too.” 

The seven-division champion who is known for never owning a cell phone and openly admitting to never having a boyfriend or significant other has put fighting at the forefront of her life. 

There is a specific set of goals that Serrano wants to accomplish not just for herself, but also for all women in boxing. 

“This is a performance, and I don’t want to let down women’s boxers,” Serrano stated in an interview with ESPN. “I’m doing this for the whole sport of women’s boxing.” 

Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley may be the reason that fans buy the PPV or show up to the event in Cleveland, but the goal for Serrano is to for them to leave talking about her. 

“Jake Paul is the main event, but he’s not the main attraction,” Serrano said during a media workout. “I am going to make sure I steal the spotlight from him and entice people to enjoy female boxing and to understand that women can fight and put on shows and showcase that we’re deserving of this opportunity.”

Posted on 05/07/2020

By: Hans Themistode

The sport of boxing has sat back patiently with its hands crossed while it figured out solutions. Fighters were forced from their gyms and fans were banned from arenas due to COVID-19. The reoccurring bad news that appeared on our television screens, made the possibility of the sport returning anytime soon bleak at best. But while fans and boxers groaned and complained during their self quarantine, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) was hard at work figuring out a solution. And now, it appears they have one.

🥊🇬🇧 BOXING RETURNING 👊

Here’s the latest BBBoC stringent measures for the ‘behind closed doors’ return of boxing in JULY

Includes:
* Pre-tournament Covid-19 tests
*Social distancing
* Max 5 fights
* Referee, cornermen and officials must wear PPE
* No ring girls
* No spitting pic.twitter.com/lEs730hI8G

— Boxing-UK 🥊🇬🇧 (@Boxing_UK_) May 5, 2020

The BBBoC were malleable in their way of thinking, and have put in place new protocols that will allow boxing to return. Albeit behind closed doors. In addition to the obvious, which is there sporting events will not be open to the public, ring girls, TV announcers and TV cameras will be allowed inside of the ring. 

Amongst the long list of guidelines we’ve highlighted the following: 

– No spitting allowed in a boxers respective corners 

– Masks must be worn by the referee and each teams corner men at all times

– Testing will be done for everyone at the event 

While all of these precautions must be met in order for the contest to take place, nothing has been set in stone. Promoters will be given a copy of the new guidelines and will have the opportunity to chime in. 

One fight card that has been recently announced as a closed door event that would have to adhere to these new guidelines would be the Heavyweight showdown between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin. Also fighting on the card is undisputed Lightweight titlist Katie Taylor and seven division champion Amanda Serrano. The following week, Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce is supposedly taking place in the U.K as well. While big name fighters such as Anthony Joshua are set to return to the ring against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev shortly after. 

If everything goes according to plan, officials would be sitting a minimum of two meters away from one another. Also, anyone over the age of 70, no matter their health condition will not be allowed into the event. Fight fans can also expect to have shorter events as the maximum number of fights that can take place at one given arena will be shrunken down to five. 

Again, nothing has been set in stone and the BBBoC has reserved their right to change stances  if need be. Still, even with these new guidelines in place, it has done nothing to placate Joe Gallagher, trainer of WBA Super Middleweight champion Callum Smith. 

“Why the rush and do things in half measures?” Said Gallagher on Twitter. “Make sure everyone is safe and well and let’s look at getting going in September. Give everyone time to get back training, sparring and make sure everyone is safe.”

Even with the framework and procedures in place, the BBBoC are still in the early stages of their proposal. But with sports such as MMA, Tennis and Nascar returning to our television screens, boxing could soon follow suit.

Posted on 05/03/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Boxing behind closed doors has become the best and quickest way for fight fans to see their favorite fighters back in the ring. It has it’s pros and cons though. The good, things will feel somewhat normal amidst COVID-19, and the entertainment is desperately needed. The bad however, is that without fans dishing out large sums of cash to get up close and personal, it could cause major issues when it comes to making big fights.

Still, for as bad as fans want to watch boxing on their big screens, they really want to see the marquee names go at it. In order for that to happen, one of the more recognizable names in the sport has to take the first step forward. And at the moment, it seems as though we have a couple of volunteers.

“A lot of people think it is difficult for bigger fights to happen behind closed doors,” said promoter Eddie Hearn told The Boxing Show on Sky Sports. But Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin is one of the fights we are planning to stage in the early part of the return, it will take place behind closed doors.”

Whyte of course, was scheduled to take on Povetkin in what was going to be one of the best cards all year. Some would argue that the co main event fight between unified Lightweight titlist Katie Taylor and seven division champion Amanda Serrano was good enough to headline on it’s own. But in today’s day and age, where fight cards seldom have more than one must see fight, this May 2nd event was a welcomed sight.

While most fans would be satisfied with Whyte vs Povetkin, there would be a feeling of disappointment if Taylor vs Serrano didn’t take place. That disappointing feeling however, will soon replaced with satisfaction if Eddie Hearn can somehow find a way to make it happen.

“I don’t know how we’re going to do it yet. But we have to come back with a bang. Whyte vs Povetkin, along with Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano, is a fight that I believe we will see at the end of July or early-August. It’s the biggest fight in women’s boxing,” Hearn said. “Looking at the achievements of Taylor and the growth of women’s boxing? It’s incredible.”

“She is pound-for-pound one of the biggest superstars in the sport. I will try to make it happen on the Whyte vs Povetkin card somehow, somewhere, some way.”

Posted on 03/08/2020

By: Hans Themistode

The sport of boxing has built its name and reputation on big fights. 

Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier, Oscar De La Hoya vs Shane Mosley and more recently, Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder have all shaped the sport into what it is today. Simply put, not one year goes by without boxing having several big fights. 

Even with so many unforgettable contests littered across the history of the sport, there has always been one glaring omission. A women’s super fight. 

Women’s boxing has been around for decades. And much like its male counterpart, it’s had its fair share of big name fighters as well. Christy Marin dominated the 90s, while Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe lead the way in the early 2000s. Fast forward to today, and female fighters such as Claressa Shields, Cecilia Braekhus, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are currently carrying the torch. 

For as great as those fighters are, many would love to see them face one another. On May 2nd, fans will finally get what they’ve been waiting for. 

Undisputed Lightweight titlist Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) and seven division champion Amanda Serrano (38-1-1, 28 KOs) have officially come to terms for a mega showdown on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin on May 2nd, at the Manchester Arena. 

Don’t be fooled by the fact that this contest is going to take place on an undercard. There is absolutely no doubt that this represents the biggest fight in women’s boxing history. 

The intrigue in this contest stretches far beyond their unbelievable professional careers. Before Taylor became a multiple division world champion, she had an impressive run during her amateur career, winning several tournament titles before capping things off with Olympic gold in 2012. 

As for Serrano, there’s a reason why she has been linked to just about every big name no matter the weight class. It’s because she has no problem climbing through the divisions in search of a big fight. Her seven division world titles only plays second fiddle to Manny Pacquiao and his record setting eight. In short, if you believe you are the best fighter in your respective weight class, then Serrano has no issues climbing up or down to test you on that theory. 

For women’s boxing, this is their Super Bowl, NBA finals and World Series all wrapped into one. Their sport has always played in the shadows. Even with this being the biggest fight that they can produce, it isn’t headlining its own card. In many ways, it is still taking a backseat to its male equivalent. 

With that being said, this is the fight that the sport has needed. For as great as Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe were, a showdown between them, although it was very much clamored for, never took place. What would have happened had those two all-time greats actually met inside of the ring? That question will never be answered. 

There were a few perceived “Super Fights” but were they really? Ali’s 2003 matchup against Christy Martin took place well past her prime. The 2001 contest between Laila Ali and the daughter of hall of famer Joe Frazier, Jacqui, was not and should not be classified as a “super fight.”

Three division champion, Claressa Shields could make the case for her own super fight which took place in 2019 against then undefeated champion Christina Hammer. Still, that match seems to come up a bit short in terms of a huge contest.

The absence of a female super fight has left a black eye on the sport.

No, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are not as high on the all-time great lists as Ali and Wolfe. Hell, they probably aren’t on the list at all at this point. But make no mistake about it, they will be when it’s all said an done.

It may have taken years, but women’s boxing has the super fight it has been clamoring for.

“It’s a fight that seems to have been talked about for years so I’m just glad it’s finally on,” said Taylor. “It’s a massive fight and one that I have been looking forward to for a long, long time.”