Ireland’s Katie Taylor Wins Fiery Encounter with Amanda Serrano in Texas

By David A. Avila

They didn’t disappoint.

In an even more brutal fight than their first encounter, undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1) again edged out Amanda Serrano (47-3-1) after 10 bloody rounds to win by unanimous decision at Arlington, Texas.

It was Serrano who jumped on Taylor in the first round and ravaged the Irish fighter with rifling lefts that snapped her head back. There was no wasting time to get acquainted.

Taylor got her footing in the third round with her quick handed flurries. Though Serrano landed too it was Taylor’s resilience that kept her from being overrun by the Puerto Rican’s power blows.

In the third round however, Taylor rushed in with blows and then grabbed Serrano and butted her with her head. A bloody gash opened up on the side of the Puerto Rican’s right eye. The referee quickly acknowledged it was a butt that caused the bad cut.

In the next round the cut opened up even more and the referee and ringside physician asked if she wanted to continue. She acknowledged to continue though the fight could have been stopped and judged by the scores accumulated up to that point. Serrano probably would have won.

Serrano did not want to stop.

“I chose to be great,” Serrano said. “I’m a Boricua. I’ll die in the ring.”

For the remainder of the fight the two combatants battled furiously. It was even more savage than their first encounter in New York two years ago. The referee repeatedly warned Taylor for intentionally diving in with her head and took one point away in the eighth round. He could have deducted more but did not.

“Sometimes it’s tough in there,” explained Taylor.

Serrano’s right hooks and left crosses found their mark repeatedly. Taylor’s quick combinations and strafing rights blazed often. It was up to the judges after 10 rounds had expired. All three judges saw it in favor of Taylor 95-94 three times.

Many in the crowd booed. Even the Netflix announcers seemed surprised.

“She’s a fantastic champion,” said Taylor of Serrano. “She’s a hard puncher and tough.”

Serrano seemed displeased by the decision, but happy for the success of the fight card. Once again, the two iconic female fighters proved to be the cream of the crop and capable of surpassing all others in excitement.

They lit up the prize ring in a blaze of fury.

Taylor could have run around the ring and picked and pawed as her trainers preferred. Instead, she lowered her head, planted her feet and attempted to knock out Serrano. The same idea was in Serrano who could have bowed out with her eyelid flapped over and blood streaming. No one would have called her a coward. She obliged the crowd and her foe and slugged it out to the roar and amazement of millions watching all over the world.

Statement made.

Women can fight and they don’t care what the consequences.

It was epic.

Green Wins Title

Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 Kos) won by split decision after 10 rounds against Canada’s very tough Melinda Watpool.(7-1) and is now the WBO super middleweight titlist.

Green, 35, had problems once Watpool unloaded combinations. Though the New Jersey fighter walked into the fight as the favorite due to her power, it was the Canadian who seemed the better puncher.

Watpool had better success when inside the pocket and exchanging. She was able to slip Green’s power shots and return fire. That forced Green to keep the fight from a distance. It was an odd look for the more powerful looking fighter. But after 10 rounds two judges preferred Green 97-93, 96-94 and one for Watpool 96-94.

It was Green’s second attempt at a world title.