Amanda Serrano, Legacy Card in London and More News Sept. 19, 2022
By David A. Avila
Her Majesty the Queen of England was buried yesterday and the United Kingdom moves forward. And respectfully, so does prizefighting.
Amanda Serrano, America’s unmitigated conqueror of seven weight divisions, steps on British shores to claim another featherweight world title and this time against Denmark’s Sarah Mahfoud.
Serrano (42-2-1, 30 Kos) challenges Mahfoud (11-0, 3 Kos) for her IBF featherweight belt on Saturday Sept. 24, at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The Puerto Rican fighter wishes to add that belt to her featherweight title collection and ESPN will televise.
“Sarah is an undefeated champion and she’s coming to do battle,” Serrano said.
The fighter known as the “Real Deal” already has the WBC and WBO belts.
Just five months ago the world saw Serrano empty her guns on Ireland’s equally talented Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden. Both unleashed a barrage of furious blows with so much intensity they nearly blew the roof off the arena. They also proved female prizefighting belongs in the forefront.
The Serrano-Taylor fight emphatically proved women compete at the same level as men if given the opportunity and resources. That same day they fought, a men’s card featured Shakur Stevenson versus Oscar Valdez in a unification title fight. The women decimated the rival men’s fight card in both ticket sales and television viewing.
Ironically, Stevenson fights again this week but Top Rank, his promoter, was wise enough to put him on Friday night instead of Saturday. No sense getting embarrassed by the women again. He gets paid well enough to run around the ring.
Brooklyn’s Serrano has openly declared her intentions of becoming undisputed featherweight world champion. Even before she fought Taylor she had begun her pursuit of the featherweight championship. Now she is back on course and Mahfoud stands in her way.
One thing about women prizefighting is their lack of fear.
Mahfoud, 32, began fighting professionally only five years ago. Though she has never fought earth-shattering competition she did claim the IBF title over Germany’s Nina Meinke last April by unanimous decision. Can Mahfoud withstand the hurricane force of Serrano?
For years many of the best female fighters between 115 and 135 pounds avoided Serrano and with good reason: she was too good and not worth losing their titles. No need to mention their names and embarrass them. All have since lost their titles.
Fortune changed for Serrano when Jake Paul saw her obliterate Daniela Bermudez in Puerto Rico. He subsequently signed Serrano and showcased her fighting skills on his own fight cards. Then he backed Serrano’s fight against lightweight world champion Taylor last April on a fight card that saw 20,000 fans fill Madison Square Garden.
It’s been quite a ride ever since.
Serrano landed in England last weekend and was met with a hero’s welcome by the knowledgeable British fans.
“Oh my God, they are the best,” said Serrano on Monday. “Treating me like royalty.”
Motivated and eager to perform in front of British fans, Serrano promises excitement.
“Yo. My fans tune in and I expect a great fight,” Serrano said to all fight fans. “I’m coming to fight hard. I’m super excited to add the IBF and Ring Magazine titles to my waist.”
Legacy Card Set October 15 in London
Promoters announced that the Legacy fight card featuring all-women bouts including two world title unification fights will take place on Oct. 15, at the O2 Arena in London, England. ESPN will televise.
After the card was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II over a week ago, the various promoters went to work re-establishing the entire boxing card including super featherweights Mikaela Mayer versus Alycia Baumgardner and middleweights Savannah Marshal versus Claressa Shields.
Only Shields’ future MMA date on November 25 with Professional Fighters League caused a slight hitch but was remedied.
Mark Taffet, who manages both Claressa Shields and Sarah Liegmann, said the PFL CEO Peter Murray was understanding of the historic significance that Shields was undertaking.
“He truly wants to do what’s best for the athletes,” said Taffet. “We gave our word to keep an open mind about November if Claressa emerges physically unscathed.”
Liegmann is scheduled to fight for a title this Saturday in Germany and will still participate on October 15, if she is capable.
“She is truly a world class athlete. If she feels great, take advantage,” said Taffet of Liegmann. “To fight on that October 15 card with all the outstanding female boxers is an incredible opportunity.”
Nottingham
In Notthingham, England, about 80 miles south of Manchester, another female world title fight takes place as Hannah Rankin (12-5) defends the IBO and WBA super welterweight titles against former super featherweight titlist Terri Harper (12-1-1) on Saturday Sept. 24. DAZN will stream the Matchboxing card.
Their title clash directly competes with Serrano-Mahfoud for attention.
Harper is jumping four weight divisions to the 154-pound realm to face Scotland’s Rankin. It seems to be a trend in England. Natasha Jonas also jumped from super featherweight to super welterweight and now claims the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles.
It’s an interesting matchup but slightly dangerous for Harper who in this writer’s opinion shows signs of pugilistic dementia. However, the jump to a heavier weight division could aid the tall Harper. We shall see.
More Fight News
Argentina
Camila Avaca (2-2-2) won by decision after six rounds against Carmen Bratschi (0-5-1) on Saturday Sept. 17. The super flyweight bout took place at Monte Chingolo.
On Friday Sept. 23, super featherweights Lucrecia Manzur (5-1) and Nicole Morales (0-1-2) meet six rounds at San Miguel.
On Saturday Sept. 24, flyweights Gabriela Alaniz (13-0) and Debora Rengifo (18-9-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Libertada. Also, featherweights Marcela Acuna (50-8-2) and Laura Griffa (18-7) meet 10 rounds for a regional title.
Australia
Ange Harries (1-0) beat Angel Rushton (2-1) by decision after five rounds on Thursday Sept. 15. The super featherweight fight took place in Nathan. Also, super welterweight Desley Robinson (3-0) beat Stephanie Mfongwot (1-2) by decision after five rounds.
Austria
Michaela Kotaskova (2-0-1) beat Patricia Gonzalez (0-1-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 17. The welterweight fight was held in Vienna.
Canada
Emma Gongora (5-2) defeated Martine Vallieres (5-2) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 16. The featherweight fight took place in Montreal.
Colombia
Bethy Franco (5-0) beat Natalia Borja (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Sept. 18. The super bantamweight bout was held at Melgar.
Mayelis Altamar (16-3-2) beat Stefany Cassiani (1-6) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Monday Sept. 12. The light flyweight bout took place at Santa Marta.
Germany
Maria Lindberg (20-8-2) beat Katarina Vistica (2-22) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 17. The welterweight bout took place in Mecklenburg. Also, super featherweight Angelika Oles (1-1) beat Maja Milenkovic (10-11) by decision after four rounds.
On Saturday Sept. 24, featherweights Sarah Liegmann (4-0) and Jane Kavulani (18-15-5) meet 10 rounds at Pulheim.
On Saturday Sept. 24, minimumweights Sarah Boorman (14-0) and Elizabeth Lopez (10-4-5) meet 10 rounds at Ludwigshafen.
Japan
Mizuki Chimoto (5-0) defeated Hye Soo Park (6-9-3) by majority decision after eight rounds on Saturday Sept. 17. The regional minimumweight title fight was held in Osaka.
On Thursday Sept. 22, atomweights Yoko Shiraki (0-0) and Risa Akagi (0-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
On Friday Sept. 23, super bantamweights Guadalupe Martinez (20-10) and Mayeli Flores (8-1-1) meet six rounds at Cancun.
On Saturday Sept. 24, lightweights Czarina McCoy (9-1) and Paulina Cardona (25-27-7) meet 10 rounds for the WIBA and UBO titles at Colima.
On Saturday Sept. 24, super featherweights Carisse Brown (7-2) and Basilia Mancilla (4-7-1) meet 10 rounds at Tecate.
Panama
On Saturday Sept. 24, flyweights Yanissa Castrellon (2-1) and Maria Lopez Roldan (1-0) meet four rounds at Panama City.
Russia
On Saturday Sept. 24, bantamweights Karina Tazabekova (0-0) and Oksana Marakhovskaya (0-3-1) meet six rounds at St. Petersburg.
Spain
Isabel Rivero (2-1) beat Cristina Navarro (1-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 16. The light flyweight fight was held at Aranda de Duero.
On Saturday Sept. 24, flyweights Minerva Gutierrez (1-0) and Natasha Boyes (0-2) meet four rounds at Pola de Laviana.
Tanzania
On Saturday Sept. 24, lightweights Halima Bandola (1-2-1) and Nasra Msami (1-0) meet eight rounds at Mtwara.
Thailand
Saowaluk Nareepangsri (12-19) knocked out Farung Srithong (0-3) in the third round on Saturday Sept. 17. The super flyweight fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, super bantamweight Thanchanok Phanan (12-3) beat Suphansa Phimpha (0-1) by decision after four rounds.
Turkey
Yasemin Akturk (2-3) won by majority decision after four rounds versus Adel Khuri (0-2) on Saturday Sept. 17. The super featherweight match was held in Turkiye.
United Kingdom
Lucy Wildheart (9-1) beat Eva Cantos (4-7-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Sept. 17. The featherweight fight took place at Grays.
Bree Burbeary (2-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Ester Konecna (2-16-1) on Saturday Sept. 17. The super welterweight fight was held in Rotherham, England.
On Saturday Sept. 24, featherweights Amanda Serrano (42-2-1) and Sarah Mahfoud (11-0) meet 10 rounds in Manchester for the IBF, WBO, WBC and IBO world titles. The fight will be televised by ESPN+. Also, featherweights Raven Chapman (3-0) and Jorgelina Guanini (10-4-2) meet eight rounds.
On Saturday Sept. 24, super welterweights Hannah Rankin (12-5) and Terri Harper (12-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBO and WBA world titles at Nottingham. DAZN will stream the fight card.
USA
Jessica Camara (10-3) knocked out Josefina Vega (9-5) in the first round on Saturday Sept. 17. The super lightweight bout took place in Wilmington, Delaware. Also, middleweight Olivia Gerula (19-19-3) defeated Logan Holler (9-2-1) by decision after four rounds.
Nicole Chisolm (3-1) knocked out Jayli Fimbres (1-1) in the first round on Saturday Sept. 17. The featherweight fight took place in New Town, North Dakota.
Hanna Rosario (1-0) beat Christina Ricker (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Sept. 17. The super lightweight match was held in Morristown, Tennessee.
Yadira Bustillos (6-0) won by majority decision after six rounds against Katherine Lindenmuth (2-1) on Saturday Sept. 17. The flyweight fight was held at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kara Ro (18-0) returned from inactivity for 11 years and defeated Elizabeth Tuani (2-9) by decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 16. The super featherweight fight was held in Detroit.
Melissa St. Vil (15-4-4) won by unanimous decision over Calista Silgado (20-15-3) after six rounds on Friday Sept. 16. The lightweight bout took place in Brooklyn, New York.
LeAnna Cruz (3-0) defeated Lilian Almaraz (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday Sept. 16. The super flyweight match was held in Philadelphia, Penn.
Venezuela
Ana Lozano (22-11-1) knocked out Paola Lopez (0-3) in the third round on Saturday Sept. 17. The super bantamweight fight took place at Caracas. Also, super flyweight Leiryn Flores (19-3-1) knocked out Yulianny Medina (0-1) in the second round.
Emma Suarez (6-5) knocked out Heidi Guariguan (0-2) in the second round on Friday Sept. 16. The super bantamweight bout took place in Caracas. Also, flyweight Roxana Colmenarez (5-1-1) knocked out Yolimar Moreno (0-2) in the second round.