Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano
{{short description|2022 boxing match}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox boxing match
|fight date=April 30, 2022
|recognition1=WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight champion
The Ring No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter
2-division world champion
|recognition2=WBC and WBO featherweight champion
The Ring No. 3 ranked pound-for-pound fighter
7-division world champion
|style2=Southpaw
|weight2=133.6 lbs
|height2=5 ft 5+1/2 in
|hometown2=Carolina, Puerto Rico
|record2=42–1–1 (30 KO)
|nickname2=The Real Deal
|fighter2=Amanda Serrano
|style1=Orthodox
|Fight Name=For History
|weight1=134.6 lbs
|height1=5 ft 5 in
|hometown1=Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
|record1=20–0 (6 KO)
|nickname1=KT
|fighter1=Katie Taylor
|titles=WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles|location=Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
|image=File:Taylor_vs_Serrano_fight_poster.jpeg
| result = Taylor wins via 10-round split decision (94-96, 97-93, 96-93)
}}
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, billed as For History, was a women's lightweight professional boxing match contested between the undisputed lightweight world champion Katie Taylor and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano. The bout was held on April 30, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Taylor's undisputed lightweight titles on the line.{{Cite web|last=Stumberg|first=Patrick L.|date=2022-01-27|title=Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano official for April 30th at Madison Square Garden|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2022/1/27/22904620/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-official-april-30-madison-square-garden-boxing-news-2022|access-date=2022-02-09|website=Bad Left Hook|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-27|title=Boxing News: Taylor-Serrano clash set for April 30 at MSG » February 9, 2022|url=https://fightnews.com/taylor-serrano-clash-set-for-april-30-at-msg/127210|access-date=2022-02-09|website=fightnews.com|language=en-US}}
It was the first women's boxing match to headline Madison Square Garden, and was described as the 'biggest women's fight of all time'.{{Cite web|title=Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano is the biggest women's fight of all time, worthy of a place in Madison Square Garden history {{!}} DAZN News US|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-is-the-biggest-womens-fight-of-all-time-worthy-of-a-place-in-madison-square-garden-history/f7wcc8yoyzmz1eew6jroz4jei|access-date=2022-02-02|website=DAZN|date=January 28, 2022 |language=en}} Taylor defeated Serrano by split decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2022/apr/30/katie-taylor-v-amanda-serrano-fight-live|title=Katie Taylor retains undisputed lightweight title after Amanda Serrano win – as it happened|date=1 May 2022|work=Guardian|accessdate=17 May 2022}} Considered one of the greatest fights to ever take place at Madison Square Garden, the bout received universal acclaim, being named Fight of the Year by Sports Illustrated{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2022/12/28/katie-taylor-amanda-serrano-fight-of-the-year-2022|title=Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano Is Sports Illustrated's Fight of the Year|date=28 Dec 2022|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=19 Feb 2023}} and Event of the Year by The Ring.{{cite web|url=https://www.ringtv.com/648566-2022-event-of-the-year-katie-taylor-amanda-serrano/|title=2022 EVENT OF THE YEAR: KATIE TAYLOR-AMANDA SERRANO|date=13 Jan 2023|work=The Ring|accessdate=13 Mar 2023}}
Background
Katie Taylor made her professional debut in November 2016 following a decorated amateur career that included a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. At that time, Amanda Serrano was already a four-weight world champion with a record of 30–1–1. Over the next three years, both women would see continued success. Serrano earned titles in three more weight classes to become a seven-weight world champion, the second most of any boxer in history, only behind Manny Pacquiao. She also began a career in mixed martial arts, compiling a professional record of 2–0–1. Meanwhile, Taylor would become a world champion within a year of her debut, and eventually claimed all four divisional titles to become the undisputed lightweight champion. She then became a two-weight champion by defeating Christina Linardatou at super-lightweight.
The two were first scheduled to fight each other at the Manchester Arena on May 2, 2020, which would have been the first defence for Taylor as undisputed lightweight champion.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/51769304 |title =Katie Taylor to fight Amanda Serrano at Manchester Arena on 2 May |work=6 March 2020}} However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bout was postponed and rescheduled to July 4, with the venue changing to the Matchroom Sport headquarters in Brentwood, Essex. After being postponed for a second time, Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed he was in talks to secure a rematch between Taylor and Delfine Persoon, who Taylor had narrowly beaten to become the undisputed lightweight champion on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.{{Cite web|last=Donovan|first=Jake|date=29 June 2020|title=Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Situation Continues To Get Heated|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-situation-continues-get-heated--149836|access-date=9 July 2020|website=BoxingScene.com|language=en-us}} On July 9, it was confirmed that the Taylor vs. Persoon rematch would take place on August 22 on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin.{{Cite news|date=9 July 2020|title=Katie Taylor to face Delfine Persoon in rematch on 22 August|language=en-gb|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/53328513|access-date=9 July 2020}} Taylor won the fight by unanimous decision.{{cite news |title=Katie Taylor retains world titles after beating Delfine Persoon in rematch |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/katie-taylor-retains-world-titles-after-beating-delfine-persoon-in-rematch-1.4336826 |access-date=22 August 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=22 August 2020 |quote=...was gracious in defeat and felt Taylor had done enough to retain her WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA titles.}} Over the next 16 months, both Taylor and Serrano would win another four fights, taking their respective records to 20–0 and 42–1–1.
On January 27, 2022, the bout was officially announced to be taking place on April 30, 2022 at Madison Square Garden. The fight was co-promoted by Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, who are the respective promoters of Taylor and Serrano, and was broadcast live on DAZN.{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/boxing/confirmed-katie-taylor-to-take-on-amanda-serrano-this-april-in-biggest-female-fight-of-all-time-41285281.html |title =Confirmed: Katie Taylor to take on Amanda Serrano this April in 'biggest female fight of all time' |work=27 January 2022|date =January 27, 2022 }} Following the official announcement of the fight, press conferences were held in New York City and London to promote the bout.
During the London press conference, Serrano, citing the historic nature of the contest, suggested that the fight be 12 three-minute rounds, as is the case in men's world championship boxing, rather than the women's standard of 10 two-minute rounds. Taylor dismissed this idea, saying ”I don't think it will make a huge difference to the event; it's already iconic as it is.”{{cite web|url= https://www.boxingscene.com/katie-taylor-turns-down-amanda-serranos-12-three-minute-rounds-proposal-title-unification-bout--163989 |title=Katie Taylor Turns Down Amanda Serrano's 12 Three-Minute Rounds Proposal For Title Unification Bout|date=8 February 2022|work=Boxing Scene|access-date=8 February 2022}}
Taylor already held a victory over Amanda's sister Cindy, having defeated her by unanimous decision in October 2018.{{cite web|url= https://www.ringtv.com/546090-katie-taylor-dominates-cindy-serrano-to-retain-titles/ |title =Katie Taylor dominates Cindy Serrano to retain titles |work=20 October 2018|date =October 21, 2018 }}
Weigh-in
The weigh-in took place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and was heavily attended by fans from Ireland and Puerto Rico. As part of a promotional agreement with WWE, Serrano was announced to the stage by the Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair, while Taylor was introduced by her compatriot Becky Lynch.
Both fighters weighed in under the 135-pound lightweight limit, with Serrano at 133.6 pounds and Taylor at 134.6 pounds.{{cite web|url= https://www.dazn.com/en-IE/news/boxing/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-weigh-in-live-stream-updates-from-madison-square-garden/otosbq05axfq1xwp9cfhi8308 |title=KATIE TAYLOR VS. AMANDA SERRANO WEIGH-IN RESULTS: HISTORY-MAKING HEADLINERS MAKE UNDISPUTED TITLE FIGHT OFFICIAL|date=30 April 2022|work=DAZN|access-date=13 April 2023}}
Fight card
| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 85%;"
! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Weight Class ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" | ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |vs. ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" | ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Method ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Round ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Time ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Notes |
| Lightweight
|{{flagicon|IRE}} Katie Taylor (c) |def. |{{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} Amanda Serrano |SD |10/10 | |{{ref|Taylor vs. Serrano|Note 1}} |
| Super Welterweight
|{{flagicon|UK}} Liam Smith |def. |{{flagicon|USA}} Jessie Vargas |TKO |10/12 |0:41 | |
| Super Middleweight
|{{flagicon|USA}} Franchón Crews-Dezurn (c) |def. |{{flagicon|SWE}} Elin Cederroos (c) |UD |10/10 | |{{ref|Crews-Dezurn vs. Cederroos|Note 2}} |
| Flyweight
|{{flagicon|UK}} Galal Yafai (c) |def. |{{flagicon|USA}} Miguel Cartagena |RTD |2/10 |3:00 |{{ref|Yafai vs. Cartagena|Note 3}} |
| Middleweight
|{{flagicon|USA}} Austin Williams |def. |{{flagicon|USA}} Chordale Booker |TKO |1/10 |2:25 |{{ref|Williams vs. Booker|Note 4}} |
| Super Lightweight
|{{flagicon|USA}}Reshat Mati |def. |{{flagicon|USA}}Joe Eli Hernandez |UD |8/8 | | |
| Featherweight
|{{flagicon|AUS}}Skye Nicolson |def. |{{flagicon|USA}}Shanecqua Paisley Davis |UD |6/6 | | |
| Light Heavyweight
|{{flagicon|USA}}Khalil Cole |def. |{{flagicon|USA}}William Langston |UD |6/6 | | |
{{note|Taylor vs. Serrano|Note 1|For WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring Lightweight titles}}
{{note|Crews-Dezurn vs. Cederroos|Note 2|For WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super Middleweight titles}}
{{note|Yafai vs. Cartagena|Note 3|For WBC International Flyweight title}}
{{note|Williams vs. Booker|Note 4|For vacant WBA Continental Americas Middleweight Title}}
Rematches
Following Serrano becoming the undisputed featherweight champion with a victory over Erika Cruz, the rematch was set to take place on May 20, 2023 at the 3Arena in Dublin.{{Cite web |last=Mike Heck |date=February 5, 2023 |title=Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 set for May 20 in Dublin |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/5/23586311/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-2-set-for-may-20-in-dublin |publisher=mmafighting.com}} However, in late February it was announced that Serrano would not be able to make the date due to damage suffered in the fight with Cruz.{{Cite web |last=Jesse Holland |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano rematch scrapped following injury to 'Real Deal' |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/2/28/23618677/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-rematch-scrapped-following-injury-real-deal-mma |publisher=mmamania.com}} She was replaced by undisputed light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron.{{Cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Michael |date=11 March 2023 |title=Katie Taylor-Chantelle Cameron title bout set for May 20 |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/35836154/source-katie-taylor-chantelle-cameron-title-bout-20 |website=ESPN}}
On April 16, 2024, Netflix announced that the rematch would take place on July 20 for the undisputed super-lightweight title, as the co-feature bout to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-16 |title=Taylor, Serrano get 'dream come true' rematch |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39953803/katie-taylor-face-amanda-serrano-july-20-rematch |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The event would end up being rescheduled to take place on November 15, 2024 after Mike Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Paul-Tyson, Taylor-Serrano moved to Nov. 15 |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/40297849/jake-paul-mike-tyson-boxing-match-rescheduled-nov-15 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Taylor won the fight 95–94 on all three scorecards.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-24 |title=Netflix, Paul-Tyson |url= https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/42417518/katie-taylor-edges-amanda-serrano-controversial-decision|access-date=2024-11-15 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
On March 6, 2025, the trilogy fight was announced, again for the undisputed super-lightweight title, to take place at Madison Square Garden on July 11, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Katie Taylor faces Amanda Serrano in trilogy fight in New York in July |url=https://www.fightmag.com/katie-taylor-faces-amanda-serrano-in-trilogy-fight-in-new-york-in-july/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=6 March 2025}} The bout was announced to headline an all women's card live on Netflix, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions.{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Elizabeth |title=Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3: All women's card set for Madison Square Garden |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2025/03/06/katie-taylor-amanda-serrano-3-date-netflix/81752048007/ |work=USA TODAY}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Firuza Sharipova}}
{{s-ttl | title=Katie Taylor's bouts |years=30 April 2022}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Karen Carabajal}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Miriam Gutiérrez}}
{{s-ttl | title=Amanda Serrano's bouts |years=30 April 2022}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Sarah Mahfoud}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before={{small|Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk}}
}}
{{s-ttl|title=The Ring Event of the Year|years=2022}}
{{s-after|after={{small|Day of Reckoning}}
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Most Valuable Promotions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Serrano}}
Category:Women's boxing matches
Category:2022 in women's boxing
Category:2022 in American sports
Category:2022 in sports in New York City
Category:April 2022 sports events in the United States
Category:Boxing matches at Madison Square Garden