Amanda Serrano vs Katie Taylor in Texas, and More News
(Photo by Janice Yim)
By David A. Avila
Amanda Serrano will fight Katie Taylor once again in the summer.
Most Valuable Promotions announced Tuesday that Puerto Rico’s greatest fighter Serrano (46-2-1, 30 Kos) will meet Ireland’s greatest fighter Taylor (23-1, 6 Kos) in a rematch on July 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netflix will stream the card that also features Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson.
“Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have proven they are two of the biggest names in the sport, male or female and their rematch is one of the biggest fights in boxing, so it’s only fitting for them to be a part of this massive global event,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions.
It’s a rematch that had to be made, soon as possible. With apologies to Chantelle Cameron who tangled with Taylor twice, that fight is not as big or important outside of the British Isles.
Two years ago, Serrano and Taylor lit up Madison Square Garden in New York City and set records for pay-per-views for a female championship fight. It was an historic moment that proved women’s boxing was a major attraction – if given the right ingredients and exposure.
For those not up to speed on the first match, the city of New York proved to be the perfect setting. Crowds poured into the weigh-ins at the Hulu Theater. With Irish fans and Puerto Rican fans cramming into the theater playing music and shouting encouragement.
And that was only the weigh-ins.
On the actual fight day thousands poured into Madison Square Garden in support of their fighter. Taylor fans dressed in green and Serrano fans in red, white and blue. The crowd response was electric and the most amazing I ever witnessed in more than 40 years of attending boxing matches.
Can they duplicate that moment?
“The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different,” said Taylor the current undisputed super lightweight world champion. “I want to thank Matchroom and DAZN for their help in making the fight possible and I’m looking forward to defending my titles as undisputed world champion in Dallas on Saturday, July 20.”
Once again Serrano and Taylor will be clashing for an undisputed world championship but this time as super lightweights. Sadly, it will be for 10 two-minute rounds, not 12 three-minute rounds.
“While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10×2 for if that’s what Katie wanted. I’m coming for her belts, she wants 10×2, so that’s what we will do,” stated Serrano. “I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time I’m not leaving it to the judges.”
Their fight will be co-featured with Jake Paul fighting heavyweight legend Mike Tyson who meet for eight rounds. That’s a fight that intrigues fans mostly because Tyson was one of the most feared heavyweights of his time and still seems to be capable of serious damage even at age 57. Paul is a mere 27 and still learning the pro fight game but at a remarkable pace.
Adding Serrano and Taylor to the fight lineup adds a tremendous boost to a sports event that did not need much help. But it guarantees that fans attending and those watching on Netflix will be getting full value on an historic event.
Even Tyson whose been part of some of the greatest fights in history applauds the announcement.
“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” said Mike Tyson. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card.”
It’s an epic rematch.
“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about,” said Serrano.
Tania Alvarez Wins European Title
Spain’s Tania Alvarez (11-1, 2 Kos) defeated Italy’s Maria Cecchi (10-3, 2 Kos) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds in a spirited fight that saw three judges score the same 96-94. Alvarez now holds the vacant EBU super bantamweight title.
Alvarez, 22, has rocketed up the rankings and become a star in her native Barcelona.
She first emerged to international recognition after accepting a challenge to move up a weight division and face Skye Nicolson a year ago in Madison Square Garden, in New York City. Her performance against the speedy Aussie proved to be the toughest competition Nicolson has face yet.
Now the aggressive Spanish super bantamweight has moved into the top 10 among super bantamweights. Could a world title fight be next?
More Fight News
Argentina
Edith Matthysse (18-16-1) defeated Victoria Bustos (25-8-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 13. The Argentine super featherweight title fight was held in Galvez.
Australia
On Saturday April 20, welterweights Jessica Messina (4-0) and Millicent Agboegbulen (3-1) meet eight rounds for the Australian title at Belmont North.
On Saturday April 20, super bantamweights Mariah Turner (4-0) and Nantachat Wanpeng (5-3) meet six rounds at Fortitude Valley.
Canada
Melinda Watpool (6-0) beat Adriana Dos Santos by decision after eight rounds on Saturday April 13. The middleweight fight was held in Pickering.
On Sunday April 21, bantamweights Lindsay Garbatt (9-10-2) and Tania Walters (5-3) meet eight rounds at Toronto.
Colombia
Angelica Araujo (2-2-1) knocked out Carmen Soto (0-1) in the third round on Tuesday April 9. The super lightweight fight was held in Santa Marta.
On Saturday March 20, super flyweights Paola Rincon (7-3) and Julia Cassiani (5-1) meet six rounds at Santa Marta.
On Saturday April 20, bantamweights Basilia Mancilla (6-10-2) and Bethy Franco (8-6-2) meet six rounds at Bogota.
On Saturday April 20, flyweights Olga Julio (38-18-3) and Mirleydis Hoyos (1-13-1) meet eight rounds at Cartagena.
Croatia
On Saturday April 20, welterweights Ivana Habazin (22-5) and Kinga Magyar (14-4) meet 10 rounds for the vacant WBC title at Zagreb.
Egypt
On Sunday April 21, lightweights Hagar Elsayed (3-0) and Israa Shaaban (0-0) meet four rounds at Cairo. Also, super lightweights Ghada Ahmed (1-1) and Fatma Khaled (0-1) meet four rounds.
France
Marine Beachamp (6-1-1) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Katherine Quintana (0-28-1) on Saturday April 13. The welterweight fight took place at St. Quinten Fallavier.
Fanny Galle (1-0) knocked out Francesca Taylor (0-2) in the third round on Saturday April 13. The welterweight match was held in Limeil Brevannes.
Mailys Gangloff (10-4) knocked out Megan Ouvrard (5-4-2) in the third round on Saturday April 13. The super flyweight match was held in Chatellerault.
Jeyssa Marcel (13-0) defeated Mary Aina (11-1) by decision after eight rounds on Friday April 12. The bantamweight fight was held in Nantes.
Germany
Lara Ochmann (13-2) defeated Katerina Dvorakova (1-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 13. The featherweight fight took place at Aschersleben.
Guyana
On Saturday April 20, super flyweights Johana Zuniga (17-6-1) and Nataly Delgado (13-7-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Georgetown.
Italy
On Thursday April 18, featherweights Jasmine Di Felice (2-0) and Antonina Cuti (1-7) meet eight rounds at Pescara.
Japan
Noa Sakamoto (6-1) beat Aori Matsuo (3-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Sunday April 14. The atomweight match was held in Osaka.
Mami Otsubo (1-1) knocked out Yuho Kato (0-1) in the third round on Saturday April 13. The bantamweight fight was held in Kariya.
Mexico
On Saturday April 20, minimumweights Camila Zamorano (7-0) and Karla Sanchez (3-2-3) meet six rounds at Hermosillo.
South Korea
Hye Jung Lee (1-1) defeated Won Kyung Suh (0-1) by split decision after four rounds on Saturday April 13. The super featherweight match was held in Incheon. Also, minimumweight Eun Young Lee (1-2) beat Si Ra Kim (0-1) in four.
Spain
Tania Alvarez (11-1) defeated Maria Cecchi (10-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 13. The EBU super bantamweight title match was held in Castelbisbal.
Minerva Gutierrez (4-4) won by decision after six rounds versus Florencia Villarreal (1-4-2) on Saturday April 13. The light flyweight match took place at Llanera.
On Friday April 19, flyweights Chaimae Bounouar (1-0) and Gabriela Paez (0-3) meet four rounds at Llobregat.
Sweden
Marianne Alborg (7-1) defeated Ester Konecna (4-27-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 13. The super welterweight fight took place at Malmo. Also, flyweight Antonia Martin (1-0) knocked out Diana Csiki (0-3) in two.
Switzerland
On Saturday April 20, super lightweights Anais Kistler (3-2) and Tessa Van Stenus (0-1) meet six rounds at Fribourg.
Thailand
Ramandeep Kaur (15-3) knocked out Phatcharaphon Kransakun (0-3-1) in the first round on Friday April 12. The minimumweight fight was held at Lam Luk Ka. Also, light flyweight Nattarat Prempida (10-4-1) knocked out Kulatida Thongpradub (0-8) in three; and Netnapa Sunthorn (8-0) knocked out Oomsin Sohsit (0-4) in three; and Praethip Pawuttinun (8-0) knocked out Surachada Namrak (3-8) in two.
Niratchaporn Tanomsaksree (4-0) beat Parika Pachai (2-4) by decision after eight rounds on Tuesday April 9. The light flyweight match was held in Pathum Thani. Also, light flyweight Panida Chatluang (8-8) knocked out Tassana Paladsrichuay (4-18) in one; Panidda Pachai (2-4) knocked out Thamonwan Phiokhao (0-10) in one; minimumweight Amonrat Wonpiyamarat (1-4) knocked out Phatacharaporn Kranksukun (0-2-1) in three;
United Kingdom
Ellie Scotney (9-0) defeated Segolene Lefebvre (18-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 13. The IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title match was held in Manchester, England. Also, Rhiannon Dixon (10-0) defeated Karen Carabajal (22-2) by decision after 10 rounds for the WBO lightweight title.
Bree Burbeary (5-0) defeated Vaida Masiokaite (8-24-5) in eight rounds by decision on Friday April 12. The welterweight fight was held in Rotherham.
On Saturday April 20, featherweights Ashleigh Johnson (2-0) and Sherriee Barnes (0-5) meet four rounds at Llanelli.
On Saturday April 20, bantamweights Sophie Rodgers (1-0) and Inna Statkevych (5-5-3) meet six rounds at Middleborough; also welterweights Kerry Haley (2-1) and Marija Zivkovic (1-19-1) meet six rounds.
On Saturday April 20, flyweights Nicola Hopewell (4-1) and Gemma Ruegg (7-10-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Rotherham.
USA
On Saturday April 20, minimumweights Lupe Medina (5-0) and Sabrina Persona (3-1) meet six rounds at Commerce, Calif. Also, light flyweights Brook Sibrian (2-0) and Ashley Felix (4-1) meet six.