Katie Taylor vs America, First Up Cindy Serrano

Katie Taylor vs Cindy Serrano on Saturday in Boston

 

By David A. Avila

As Katie Taylor steps into the boxing ring against Cindy Serrano it serves as both a teaser and preparation for the daunting task of facing America’s best.

“I can’t wait to get in there and defend my titles tomorrow,” said Taylor.

Taylor (10-0, 5 KOs) defends the WBA and IBF lightweight world titles against Serrano (27-5-3, 10 KOs), a featherweight world titlist moving up two divisions in weight on Saturday Oct. 20. The title fight will take place in Boston at the TD Garden and DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing fight card.

“When the call came Jordan said do you want to fight Katie Taylor, I said hell yeah. This is what opportunities are for, we’re two great females, females don’t get a lot of recognition so we said let’s do it. Let the best woman win,” said Serrano at the media press conference. “I’ve fought as heavy as 154. Females just got to go up and down. You got to go where the fights make sense.”

Not that Serrano doesn’t possess the qualities and skill needed to compete with the former Olympic gold medalist, but moving up two weight divisions will cost her.

So why not choose Amanda Serrano?

Matchroom Boxing is in the business of promoting and that is why Taylor is fighting Cindy, not Amanda. Beating one Serrano will set up a fight with the other.

But the problem, not factored by Taylor’s group is: will Amanda Serrano accept a fight with Taylor?

It’s going to cost them plenty.

Supposedly Amanda Serrano is now making big money in MMA fighting for Combate Americas. One major favorable point is both Matchroom and Combate Americas are contracted with DAZN.

But that’s getting ahead of things. First, Taylor must defeat Cindy.

The elder Serrano is now 36 and has faced many of the best female prizefighters in the past 15 years. Among those she faced Rhonda Luna, Jessica Rakoczy, Anne Sophie Mathis and perhaps the best fighter pound for pound Layla McCarter.

None of the above were able to stop Serrano. The elder sister also spars with her sibling Amanda and it doesn’t get better than that.

Taylor

The Irish fighter Taylor has picked up two world titles lickety-split. Her amateur pedigree in international competition has prepared her well for boxing and moving. But what happens when she gets in tight with someone on the inside?

Jessica McCaskill, who recently won the WBC super lightweight world title, formerly fought Taylor and gave her a quick education on the difference between amateur boxing and prizefighting. McCaskill was not trying to outscore Taylor, she was looking to take her head off and nearly did.

Serrano can fight like that too, but in recent years she’s focused on out-boxing opponents.

When Taylor and Serrano meet in the center of the ring all eyes from the female boxing world will be watching.

Sitting in the front row will be younger sister Amanda.

And if Amanda Serrano prefers to stay in MMA, then there’s McCaskill itching to get back in the ring with Taylor.

“I feel we have unfinished business,” McCaskill said.

McCaskill is not alone. A number of other American fighters have the talent and the eagerness to try out Ireland’s best.

Saturday is just step one.