TAYLOR RETAINS CROWN IN CLASSIC
NEW YORK. - Katie Taylor edged Amanda Serrano on points with a split-decision victory in an instant classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The Irishwoman retained her undisputed lightweight title in a fight brimming with action, heart and excellence.
Two of the three judges saw it for Taylor in a fight that lived up to every prediction and every hope. Taylor got the verdict on two cards, by 97-93 and 96-93 margins, with one judge scoring it 96-94 to Serrano.
It was the first time two females had headlined the famous venue and after the first fight smashed every expectation, an even bigger rematch is surely in the works, with Dublin’s Croke Park mentioned as a potential venue.
“Absolutely. We have to do this again,” Taylor said after the result.
“It was an absolute war for 10 rounds. I’m grateful to be in this position and sell out Madison Square Garden. Look what we’ve just done.
“I said before that when you think Madison Square Garden, you think Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, but now everyone will be thinking of Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano.
“I knew I was going to have to dig deep and go to the trenches. I have the heart as well as the skill. I knew I was going to be able to pull through.
“She’s a phenomenal fighter. A great, great person. It was a privilege to fight her again.”
On such a seminal night for women’s boxing, two of its greatest servants delivered. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn might talk a big game but he could never have envisioned selling out Madison Square Garden, 19,187 tickets to be exact, with Taylor.
The build-up was dominated by the significance of the event, but Taylor and Serrano’s performances showcased women’s boxing’s incredible rise.
It has been the talent of the fighters and Taylor’s unshakable resolve that has dragged women’s boxing out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
The fight quickly took shape in the first four rounds, Serrano the aggressor as the southpaw and Taylor looking to counter at speed.
Serrano would move in close and fire off big shots, with Taylor happy to let the challenger advance on her, falling back on her renowned ability to respond in volume in a blink of an eye.
The dangerous strategy from Taylor appeared to be working as she landed some clean shots, but then came the fifth round.
Serrano cornered Taylor against the ropes and fired off crunching shots, connecting with the head of Taylor and drawing blood. With the referee watching closely, an unsteady Taylor pushed forward in reply and managed to bring the fight further into the ring.