Amanda Serrano vs Katie Taylor II on Netflix and More News and Notes
By David A. Avila
It was too big not to happen.
Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor meet again for the undisputed super lightweight world championship and this time in Texas.
“This is the biggest moment in women’s boxing history and Katie and I will not disappoint,” said Serrano on social media. “We are coming to fight…no running, no hiding.”
Taylor (23-1, 6 Kos) makes the first defense of the super lightweight titles against Serrano (47-2-1, 31 Kos) on Friday Nov. 15, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. NETFLIX will stream the Most Valuable Promotions card that also features Jake Paul versus “Iron” Mike Tyson.
This past summer the fight was postponed due to an injury to Mike Tyson. Now it’s happening.
It was more than two years ago that Puerto Rico’s Serrano and Ireland’s Taylor met at Madison Square Garden and sold out the historic venue in a Fight of the Century for women.
The boxing world was awestruck by the massive fan response in ticket sales and pay-per-view revenues. Women’s boxing was forever changed by their success.
For decades many promoters said women’s boxing was never going to reach the level of the men. They were wrong.
Not only did Serrano and Taylor draw fans, but their first encounter proved to be an action-packed battle that saw both unleash their offensive arsenal with blinding fury. The fans response in the massive arena was thunderous until the final blows.
After 10 two-minute rounds, the judges scored it in favor of Taylor by split-decision. It’s very difficult to score a two-minute round contest, but here we go again.
Taylor prefers two-minute rounds and because she is the undisputed champion and a tremendous boxing attraction it will be her choice. Although Serrano prefers 12 three-minute rounds, her team agrees to Taylors terms.
Once again, the two female Titans will clash.
Here’s a breakdown of their talent:
Taylor, 38, is a 2012 London Olympic gold medalist who then set the motion for women’s boxing to catch fire in Europe and North America. She has great hand and foot speed which has been tempered to suit the professional fighting style preferred by fans.
One more thing about Taylor is she can take a punch and does not give up. Ever.
When she fought Serrano the first time she was hurt at least twice in the fight and simply turned on the afterburners even more. Against Chantelle Cameron, fans saw the same fire in Taylor whenever she was mired in a dilemma.
Taylor is quite feisty and tough as they come.
“I took her biggest shots and […] I wasn’t moved. I won the second half of that fight. So I take a lot of reassurance going into the rematch because of that,” Taylor said.
Serrano, 36, has been a professional boxer longer than Taylor and suffered through the dry years of women’s boxing when it was nearly driven into the ground. The Puerto Rican southpaw was forced to fight overseas in Sweden, Dominican Republic and Argentina but it gave her a hard shell mentality.
Raised in Brooklyn, the seven-division world titlist has power in each fist and the most knockouts of any professional boxer on the planet. Aside from power and quick hands, she has the wisdom and technical prowess that allows her to match any style. She can also end a fight with a single blow. Thirty-one former opponents can attest to that.
Now, Serrano is moving up several weight divisions after capturing the undisputed featherweight championship. Taylor moved up one division to become undisputed at super lightweight. Here we go again.
“I’m chasing greatness and that’s going up three divisions to face Katie Taylor once again, and I will be victorious,” said Serrano.
Just recently it was revealed that both fighters will receive more than $6 million. That’s a lot of dinero.
“When I say how much I make, it’s not bragging, it’s to show these women that we can make it,” Serrano said.
Taylor agrees and adds one more thing.
“I think what me and Amanda have done over these last few years, inspiring that generation of young fighters, is the best thing we could leave behind in this sport. An absolute privilege,” said Taylor.
Don’t miss it.
Shadasia
Super middleweight contender Shadasia Green (14-1, 11 Kos) gets a second shot at a world title when she meets undefeated Canadian Melinda Watpool (7-0, 2 KOs) on the undercard of Serrano and Taylor on Friday Nov. 15, at Arlington, Texas. The title fight will be shown on YouTube.com.
Green lost her first opportunity for a world title last December to current world champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn. Now she meets Watpool for the vacant WBO title.
Both contenders fought Natasha Spence in their last fight and emerged winners. However, Green suffered a knockdown but rallied to win the fight this past July in Florida.
Top Mexican Fighters Sign with Diaz
Top Mexican fighters Kenia Enriquez, Adelaida Ruiz and Yesica Nery Plata the current WBC light flyweight world titlist are now managed by Roberto Diaz.
Diaz formerly was matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions and assisted in signing Seniesa Estrada, Marlen Esparza and Yokasta Valle to contracts with that organization.
Enriquez is the top flyweight contender and currently the interim WBC flyweight titlist. She is also the most avoided top contender in the world. For 10 years she was number one contender as a light flyweight and no champion allowed her to compete for the actual world title.
Nery Plata is the current WBC light flyweight titlist and also holds the WBA title which she won against Argentina’s great Yesica Bopp. She defeated Canada’s Kim Clavel for the WBC title in January 2023.
Ruiz, a super flyweight, lives in Los Angeles and recently lost a fiery confrontation with American Olympian Ginny Fuchs last August. It was one of the top female fights of the year.
More Fight News
Argentina
Lucia De Los Angeles (4-8) defeated Sanra Villarruel (1-6-2) in four rounds on Saturday Nov. 9. The super fly fight was held in Florencio Varela.
Rocio Bastida (3-1) won by majority decision after four rounds versus Rocio Gatica (1-2) on Saturday Nov. 9. The super lightweight match was held in Mar del Plata.
On Friday Nov. 15, featherweights Lucrecia Manzur (11-4) and Marcela Acuna (53-10-3) meet 10 rounds for South American title at San Miguel de Tucuman.
On Saturday Nov. 16, super flyweights Carla Ayelen Moreno (15-2) and Roxana Bermudez (4-7-2) meet 10 rounds at Rio Cuarto. Also, bantamweights Eugenia Poma (7-0) and Victoria Benavidez (1-4) meet six.
Australia
Nathalie Pavlides (1-0) knocked out Manjot Rattu (6-2) in the third round on Friday Nov. 8. The super lightweight fight took place in Toowoomba.
Canada
On Thursday Nov. 14, minimumweights Kim Clavel (19-2) and Mayela Perez (20-27-4) meet 10 rounds for a title at Montreal. Also, super lightweights Marie Pier Houle (10-1-2) and Anissa Benyoub (7-4) meet 10 rounds.
Chile
Vicky Quevedo (4-0) knocked out Mariela Cama (0-1) in the second round on Saturday Nov. 9. The lightweight match took place in Santiago. Also, super fly Isis Mascarena (7-1) knocked out Rojana Paisig (0-1) in three; and bantamweight Nicole Anaya (2-0) defeated Angela Chavez (0-1) in four.
Colombia
Flor Rodriguez (7-0) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds against Sasthy Ramirez (4-5) on Saturday Nov. 9. The super bantamweight match was held in Carmen de Apicala.
Erika Escobar (3-2) knocked out Paola Garcia (0-3-1) in tow rounds on Tuesday Nov. 5. The lightweight match took place in Santa Marta.
Czech Republic
On Saturday Nov. 16, bantamweights Julia Lee (1-0) and Adelasia Chilleri (0-4) meet four rounds at Usti nad Labem.
Germany
On Friday Nov. 15, super bantams Mei Li Folk (3-0) and Mandy Bohm (4-0) meet six rounds at Frankfurt. Also, welters Julia Ingel (2-0) and Natalie Pavlatova (0-2) meet four.
On Saturday Nov. 16, light flyweights Lorena Bunoza (4-0) and Angela Cannizzaro (6-23-1) meet Leverkusen.
Italy
On Saturday Nov. 16, super bantamweights Cristina Garganese (3-1) and Bianca Voglino (4-0) meet 10 rounds for the Italian title at Puglia.
Japan
Nodoka Taka (1-0) defeated Masako Numakura (1-5) in four rounds on Friday Nov. 8. The super flyweight match took place in Tokyo.
New Zealand
On Saturday Nov. 16, super lightweights Hannah Walker (2-0) and Tania Barnett (0-2) meet six rounds at Tauranga.
Russia
On Saturday Nov. 16, super lightweights Lanna Malyuganova (0-0) and Alexandra Ovchinnikova (0-1) meet four rounds at Chelyabinsk.
Serbia
Nina Radovanovic (19-4) won by decision after eight rounds against Minerva Gutierrez (5-5) on Friday Nov. 8. The light flyweight fight took place in Belgrade. Also, super lightweight Nadja Milijancevic (2-0) knocked out Mariami Nutsubidze (1-7) in three.
Spain
Almudena Alvarez (6-2) beat Marian Herreria (7-3) by technical decision after eight rounds on Saturday Nov. 9. The EBU super featherweight match took place in Mostoles. Accidental head clash in the fourth.
Clara Lopez (1-1) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Immacolata Mancusi (0-13-1) on Saturday Nov. 9. The super featherweight fight took place in La Eliana.
On Saturday Nov. 16, flyweights Tatiana Perez (3-0-1) and Gabriela Paez (0-4) meet eight rounds at San Sebastian.
On Saturday Nov. 16, light flyweights Keylin Maradiaga (9-0-1) and Nevena Markovic (0-9-1) meet four rounds at La Coruna.
Tanzania
On Friday Nov. 15, super flyweights Jesca Mfinanga (5-4-1) and Dorothea Muhoza (0-3-1) meet eight rounds at Dar es Salaam. Also, light flyweights Sarafina Bela (6-7-1) and Yusra Ramadhani (0-2) meet four.
Thailand
Panumad Bubpamalo (6-6) knocked out Suphisara Chaingam (0-4) in the third round on Sunday Nov. 10. The light flyweight fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, Kanyarat Nunoi (8-7) knocked out Boonsita Charoensuk (0-6) in three; flyweight Arisara Wisetwongsa (7-8) knocked out Farung Srithong (0-6) in one; featherweight Pattawaran Thaosuwan (15-5) knocked out Pornchita Seehaburan (10-7) in three. And feather Somwang Sawinchai (5-14-1) beat Aphiradee Pomkoed (0-1) in four.
United Kingdom
Kerry Haley (3-2) won by decision after six rounds versus Claire Watts (0-1) on Saturday Nov. 9. The welterweight fight took place in Houghton le Spring.
Ellie Hellewell (6-0) defeated Consolata Musanga (12-8-4) after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 9. The featherweight match was held in Rotherham. Also, lightweight Jayne Bardauskas (2-0) beat Amy Greatorex (1-11) in six.
On Saturday Nov. 16, super flyweights Charlotte Powell (5-1-1) and Gemma Ruegg (7-12-1) meet 10 rounds at Manchester.
USA
Reina Tellez (11-0-1) defeated Perla Lomeli (6-4) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Nov. 9. The bantamweight regional title fight took place in San Antonio, Texas. Also, super feather Gabriela Tellez (3-0) won by decision after eight rounds against Chiara Dituri (9-2) for a regional title.
On Friday Nov. 15, middleweights Mary Casamassa (5-0) and Adriana Dos Santos (6-2) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Harmony, Penn. Also, super feathers Colleen Davis (3-2-1) and Lauren Michaels (2-3) meet six.
On Friday Nov. 15, super lightweights Katie Taylor (23-1) and Amanda Serrano (47-2-1) meet 10 rounds for the undisputed world championship at Arlington, Texas. Also, super middleweights Shadasia Green (14-1) and Melinda Watpool (7-0) meet 10 rounds for WBO world title. Netflix will stream the card.
On Saturday Nov. 16, super bantams Shera Mae Patricio (2-0) and Sarah Click (2-7-1) meet four rounds at Atlantic City. Also, welterweights Stacia Suttles (1-0) and Mariya Agapova (0-0-1) meet four.
On Saturday Nov. 16, featherweights Carmen Vargas (5-1-1) and Hannah Rapp (3-0) meet eight rounds for a regional title Conroe, Texas. Also, super lightweight Maria Harrison (0-0-1) and Kim Colbert (3-28) meet six.
On Saturday Nov. 16, super featherweights Brooke Evans (1-1-1) and Hannah Silkin (1-1) meet six rounds at Charleston, West Virginia.
Venezuela
Yohandri Rondon (10-0) defeated Estefania Matute (11-24) in 10 rounds on Friday Nov. 8. The flyweight fight took place in Caracas. Also, super bantam Yendrimar Maita (3-0) defeated Albys Larez (1-1) in six.
(Photo by Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions)