Amanda and Katie 2 Draw More than 74 Million Viewers in Another Record Breaking Fight and More News

 

By David A. Avila

Every time Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano tangle, they’re smashing records and establishing new territory for women’s prizefighting.

Women have been fighting professionally for centuries but few people knew it. It’s only in the past 50 years has the sport gained traction.

And it was only two years ago that two female fighters fought for more than $1 million each and filled up Madison Square Garden in New York City. That’s old news now. Once again Serrano and Taylor established a new purse record surpassing $6 million each.

Credit Jake Paul.

Paul is the co-creator of Most Valuable Promotions that promotes Serrano and last Friday we saw him tangle with boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson. It was a head-turning event that drew more than 108 million viewers according to Netflix and more than 72,000 people to watch in-person at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

But the real test of skills took place between Taylor and Serrano who will undoubtedly both be voted into the boxing hall of fame when they hang up their boxing gloves.

Picture a mongoose and a cobra and that’s what you get with Taylor and Serrano. They’re natural enemies inside the boxing ropes. Taylor with her speedy combinations and dogged determination. And Serrano with her never-ending power shots and relentless pressure.

Worldwide more than 74 million viewers saw two elite female fighters perform at a level of remarkable proportions. It was a furious battle of blinding combinations, ebb and flow and bloody determination.

The site of Serrano’s gashed eyelid flapping over might have turned the stomach of many watching, but for others they witnessed a champion’s heart. Though she could have agreed to stop the fight and go to the scorecards, which she would have won at that point, Serrano refused to stop the fight.

It was bravery at its finest.

And Taylor too showcased her stubborn refusal to quit. In the first round she was blasted by Serrano’s battering lefts and momentarily stunned while against the ropes. The Irish fighter refused to run and hide. Instead, she dug in and slugged it out with the powerful Puerto Rican fighter.

It was women’s boxing’s finest moment.

“The fight moved me,” said Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta, the current WBO super flyweight world titlist. “I forgot I was watching a female fight. They’re great fighters regardless of gender. Both proved that to me and I want to be like them one day.”

For decades other female fighters slugged it out like Serrano and Taylor but in front of hundreds of fans, not millions.

I can think of female fighters like Crystal Morales and Rhonda Luna who tore into each other like female gladiators at the OC Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. Only a few hundred lucky people saw that incredible war.

Or Mexico’s Mariana “Barby” Juarez and Ana Maria Torres who met in similar battles illegally when that country banned female fights in the 1990s.

And I was there when England’s Jane Couch and Lucia Rijker slugged it out at the Staples Center. It was on the same fight card where Lennox Lewis beat a bloodied Vitali Klitschko. It also featured Laila Ali and Valerie Mahfoud.

I remember attending all-female fight cards in the early 2000s in Laughlin, Nevada. Champions like Alicia Ashley, Elena Reid, Jennifer Salinas and Heather Percival fought outside one of the casinos by the river. Promoter Tokyo Rosenthal brought the all-female fight card to Hollywood, California too. I forget who streamed or televised the fight cards, but few saw those tremendous fights.

Other fighters like Melinda Cooper, Kaliesha West, Mary Jo Sanders and Layla McCarter performed at equally impressive levels in their eras. McCarter still fights and though in her 40s she has been avoided by all of the top fighters of today for the past 10 years. Who is to say she couldn’t compete if no one accepts her challenge.

They were the foundation for what took place in Arlington, Texas and New York City before that.

Taylor and Serrano’s battle caught the eye of many watching on Netflix including TMZ’s Harvey Levin and others who were transfixed in witnessing their incredible clash. In Southern California sports bars and households their fight was talked about in respectful tones.

“I wont surrender whatever happens in a fight like Serrano,” said Hiruta. “The guts of both fighters was great.”

Another layer of interest has been added to the fandom of women’s boxing. Let’s continue the march.

 

Atomweight Thunder in Germany

Two atomweight world title fights take place on Saturday Nov. 23 with Tina Rupprecht (13-1-1) and Eri Matsuda (7-1-1) meeting 10 rounds for the WBC and WBO world titles at Heidelberg. Also, Japan’s Sumire Yamanaka (8-0) and Czech Republic’s Fabiana Bytyqi (21-1-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF atomweight title.

Rupprecht has only one loss on her record. That came against Seniesa Estrada in March 2023 for the minimumweight world title. She dropped down a division to meet Fabiana Bytyqi this past January and defeated her to grab the WBC atomweight title.

Japan’s Matsuda holds the WBO atomweight title that she took from fellow Japanese Yuko Kuroki this past January by split decision.

Sumire Yamanaka, 23, is undefeated and won the IBF atomweight title this past January by unanimous decision against Mika Iwakawa. This is her first defense of the title .

Bytyqi, 28, is very tall at 5’4” in height and has a six-inch height advantage. The former atomweight titlist is looking to reclaim a championship title.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Carla Ayelen Merino (16-2) knocked out Rosana Bermudez (4-8-2) in the seventh round on Saturday Nov. 16. The bantamweight fight took place in Rio Cuarto. Also, super fly Eugenia Poma (8-0) beat Victoria Benavidez (1-5) in six.

Lucrecia Manzur (12-4) won by decision after 10 rounds against Marcela Acuna (53-11-3) on Friday Nov. 15. The South American featherweight title fight took place in San Miguel de Tucuman.

On Saturday Nov. 23, flyweights Ayelen Granadino (10-2-4) and Carolina Ferrari (3-5-3) meet 10 rounds at San Francisco Solano for the South American title.

On Saturday Nov. 23, minimumweights Maria Sol Baumstarh (11-6-1) and Roxana Colmenarez (12-6-1) meet 10 rounds at Capitan Bermudez for a regional title.

On Saturday Nov. 23, bantamweights Jesica Lujan (1-0-1) and Victoria Monreyra (1-6-1) meet four rounds at La Plata.

On Sunday Nov. 24, super flyweights Mia Nievas (0-1-2) and Micaela Torres (0-2) meet six rounds at San Miguel del Monte.

 

Australia

On Wednesday Nov. 20, super welters Kaitlyn Lodge (1-3) and Sylvana Touma (0-0) meet six rounds at Penrith.

 

Bangladesh

On Saturday Nov. 23, minimumweights Sanjida Jannat (3-0-2) and Afra Khandaker (1-1) meet six rounds at Dhaka.

 

Canada

Kim Clavel (20-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Mayela Perez (20-28-4) on Thursday Nov. 14. The light flyweight fight took place in Montreal. Also, super lightweight Marie Pier Houle (11-1-2) beat Anissa Benyoub (7-5) in 10.

 

Colombia

Kailia Attry (11-1) knocked out Milanyela Viloria (7-1) in the third round on Saturday Nov. 16. The IBA super featherweight title fight took place in Carmen de Apicala. Also, Ana Maria Lozano (25-14-1) knocked out Carolina Mejia (1-12) in three; and super fly Jhuskarly Becerra (1-0) knocked out Naudith Hernandez (0-2) in two.

 

Czech Republic

Julia Lee (2-0) defeated Adelasia Chilleri (0-5) in four rounds on Saturday Nov. 16. The bantamweight fight took place in Usti nad Labem.

 

Denmark

On Saturday Nov. 23, featherweights Melissa Mortensen (2-0) and Gabriella Mezei (11-35-5) meet six rounds at Kolding.

 

France

On Saturday Nov. 23, bantamweights Romane Moulai (2-0) and Klaudia Ferenczi (20-117-10) meet six rounds at Venelles.

On Saturday Nov. 23, welters Emilie Sonvico (0-0) and Ksenija Medic (3-35-3) meet four rounds at Gard.

On Saturday Nov. 23, light flyweights Selma Reinier (6-0) and Marta Vucic (1-1) meet six rounds at Herault. Also, super bantams Sabrina Flamand (3-6-1) and Stefany Sara Sale (0-4) meet six.

On Saturday Nov. 23, bantams Lauryne Brankaer (5-0) and Audrey Chibani (0-2-1) meet eight rounds at Gien.

On Saturday Nov. 23, lightweights Hasna Tebsi (0-0) and Yuliana Escheverry (1-3) meet six rounds at Paris.

 

Germany

Lorena Bunoza (5-0) knocked out Angela Cannizzaro (6-24-1) in the fourth round on Saturday Nov. 16. The light flyweight fight took place in Leverkusen.

On Saturday Nov. 23, atomweights Tina Rupprecht (13-1-1) and Eri Matsuda (7-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC and WBO world titles at Heidelberg. Also, Sumire Yamanaka (8-0) and Fabiana Bytyqi (21-1-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF atomweight title.

 

Ghana

On Sunday Nov. 24, super bantamweights Sangeeta Birdi (5-6) and Abigail Quartey (8-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Accra.

 

Japan

On Wednesday Nov. 20, super flyweights Yuna Miura (0-0) and Hana Tanihara (1-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo. Also, Maiko Iwasaki (0-0) and Ying Wang (0-0) meet four.

On Sunday Nov. 24, light flyweights Natthanan Sangiamchit (4-1) and Hinata Takakura (1-0) meet six rounds at Sakai.

 

Italy

Bianca Voglino (5-0) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Cristina Garganese (3-2) on Saturday Nov. 16. The Italian super bantamweight title match was held in Puglia.

 

New Zealand

Hannah Walker (3-0) defeated Tania Barnett (0-3) in six rounds on Saturday Nov. 16. The super lightweight match was held in Tauranga.

 

Mexico

On Sunday Nov. 24, flyweights Jocelyn Camarillo (2-0) and Karla Hernandez (0-1) meet four rounds at Mexicali.

 

Spain

Keylin Maradiaga (10-0-1) knocked out Nevena Markovic (0-10-1) in two rounds on Saturday Nov. 16. The light flyweight bout was held in La Coruna.

Victoria Albons (2-3) beat Victoria Lomax (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Nov. 16. The featherweight match took place in Palmanyola.

On Sunday Nov. 24, atomweights Isabel Rivero (8-2-1) and Erika Bolivar (6-2-1) meet 10 rounds at Valladolid.

 

Switzerland

On Saturday Nov. 23, super lightweights Anais Kistler (3-3) and Jenifer Joklova (1-1) meet six rounds at Carouge.

 

United Kingdom

Gemma Ruegg (8-12-1) defeated Charlotte Powell (5-2-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Nov. 16. The super flyweight title match was held in Manchester.

Kristine Shergold (8-7-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Kerry Orton (0-12) on Saturday Nov. 16. The super lightweight fight took place in Walsall. Also, super bantam Mia Holland (1-0) beat Klaudia Ferenczi (20-116-10) in four.

Jerry Lee Palmer (1-0) beat Ester Konecna (6-30-2) by decision after four rounds on Friday Nov. 15. The super welterweight match took place in Birmingham.

On Friday Nov. 22, welterweights Shauna Browne (3-0) and Bojana Libiszewska (7-67) meet eight rounds in London.

On Friday Nov. 22, super featherweights Sophie Alisch (9-0) and Marina Sakharov (6-19-2) meet six rounds at Newcastle.

On Saturday Nov. 23, welterweights Jade Grierson (4-0-1) and Vaida Masiokaite (10-25-6) meet six rounds at Newark. Also, super bantams Gabriela Strikatyte (0-0) and Kira Carter (0-11-1) meet six.

On Saturday Nov. 23, featherweights Bianca Johnson (0-0) and Shelley MacDonald (0-2) meet four rounds at Barnsley.

 

USA

Stacia Suttles (2-0) won by decision after four rounds against Mariya Agapova (0-1-1) on Saturday Nov. 16. The welterweight fight took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Also, super bantam Shera Mae Patricio (3-0) beat Sarah Click (2-8-1) in four.

Katie Taylor (24-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Amanda Serrano (47-3-1) on Friday Nov. 15. The undisputed super lightweight championship was held in Arlington, Texas. Also, Shadasia Green (15-1) defeated Melinda Watpool (7-1) by split decision after 10 rounds to win the WBO super middleweight world title.