Katie Taylor defeated Amanda Serrano, in a historic fight for women’s boxing

Irishwoman Katie Taylor achieved a historic win against Puerto Rican Amanda Serrano. It was not only that he kept his lightweight world titles and took home an expensive purse as a prize, but also wrote her name in the most important women’s boxing book by winning the first match of that branch leading the legendary box office Madison Square Garden from New York.

The European, who adopted his status as best pound for pound exponent nowgot the score the win, in split ruling. The two judges awarded him the win, by 96-93 and 97-93, in a decision that was not widely accepted by the public, while the remaining cards gave Serrano the win, by 95-94, at the end of the a very strict in a crowded and entertaining environment.

With excessive speed of hands and feet, Caribbean came out to be punished with a ‘jab and block Taylor’s path in the first round. The Irishwoman, gold medalist at the 2021 Olympic Games, responded well, with good effect and did not allow her opponent to continue.

However, despite the fact that the Puerto Rican took the initiative again, the best blow of the second round came from the Irishwoman, who in the third looked great in combinations. Katie came in, hit and ran, though Serrano finished better.

The Caribbean fired more blows against the European, with blood on his right eyebrow, but Taylor was more effective, despite less testing.

Fast as a cat, in the fifth round Amanda overtook the opponent, with a bloody face. He first punished it with a corner and then he took advantage of the exchanges in the middle of the ring, against a Katie whose feet didn’t respond.

Amanda went to the Irish champion, revived the exchanges and looked even better again, but in the seventh Taylor showed signs of coming back. He moved and escaped the Puerto Rican offensives, which connected well with his liver hook, and also defended himself, even though he was no longer seen as fast.

Katie returned in the eighth round to her approach from the start of the fight, moving to the side to escape Serrano’s volcanic volleys, which remained patient, with little trace of the fight on her face.

In the ninth, forced to force the fight, Katie imposed conditions at 1-2 and did damage to the right.

What was seen in the tenth round was a high level boxing sample. The last 30 seconds, though injured, the two fighters were punching machines, with no advantage for either.

An almost familiar hug between rivals shook Madison Square Garden as the epilogue of a battle that could be for either of the two rivals.

The rivalry, initially, was agreed for May 2020, but has suffered many delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and due to economic differences between the parties.

Taylor Titles

Taylor got his 21st career victory, in the most fights (six on the fast track), retaining his four lightweight belts. He has been a WBA champion since 2017, IBF since 2018 and WBC and WBO since 2019..

Meanwhile, Serrano suffered his second loss in his campaign (45 fights, 42 wins, 30 KOs, a draw), despite not losing since 2012.

A battle with many expectations

the historical The fight between Taylor and Serrano aroused passions. Hours before it started, the atmosphere outside New York’s Madison Square Garden was lively. The doors opened early for 18,000 people sold all the ticketsDays before enjoy the fight that guarantees a million dollars each.

Some followers wore T-shirts with the faces of Taylor, number 1 in the world, or Serrano, number 2, aiming to strip the Irishman of his reign and holding the World Boxing Council featherweight titles (57kg). . (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Serrano fans arrived at the famous arena with scarves named “Amanda”, jackets with the words “Puerto Rico” written on them, or wrapped in the monostarred flag of the island.

The Irish, who are also a large community in this city, arrived wearing green and white scarves or carrying a flag.

In addition, on the eve of a battle considered historic, the Empire State Building wore the colors of both countries, thus adding to the frenzy that was characteristic of this contest.

With information from EFE and AFP.