The highly anticipated rubber match between two of boxing`s modern greats, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, concluded with the Irish champion once again having her hand raised. In their third professional encounter, Taylor secured a hard-fought victory via majority decision, successfully defending her undisputed junior welterweight championship.
The official scorecards rendered by the judges reflected the competitive nature of the contest, though ultimately favored Taylor: 97-93, 97-93, and a closer 95-95. This outcome marks Taylor`s third consecutive win against Serrano, solidifying her claim as the dominant force in this historic rivalry.
A Rivalry Defined by Margins
This trilogy fight was the headline act of an unprecedented all-women`s boxing card held at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event itself was a significant milestone, featuring a remarkable 17 titles contested across five world championship bouts.
The journey to this third meeting was paved by two previous battles that were epics of narrow margins. Their first clash in April 2022 saw Taylor emerge victorious via a split decision, setting the stage for future encounters. The rematch, held in November on the undercard of a high-profile event, was arguably even more intense. Taylor won that contest by unanimous decision, though the scores (all 95-94) indicated just how competitive it was. That rematch was notable for an accidental head clash that resulted in a significant cut over Serrano`s right eye and even saw Taylor deducted a point in the eighth round for head-butting – demonstrating the physical toll and close-quarters nature of their exchanges. Serrano also set a CompuBox record in that bout, landing 324 punches, the most ever recorded in a 10-round women`s fight.
Given the razor-thin outcomes of the first two fights, anticipation for the trilogy was immense. Boxing enthusiasts awaited a definitive conclusion, hoping to see one fighter impose their will clearly. While a majority decision isn`t the wide margin some might have predicted after two nail-biters, it provided Taylor with a slightly clearer statistical advantage on two cards compared to the previous installments, offering a form of closure to this chapter of their careers.
Significance of the Result
For Katie Taylor, this victory is a crucial affirmation of her status at the pinnacle of the sport and a testament to her enduring ability to perform under pressure. Retaining her undisputed title against her most persistent rival adds another significant achievement to her already illustrious career. For Amanda Serrano, despite the loss, her performance across the three fights has cemented her reputation as an elite, relentless competitor who pushed Taylor to her absolute limits multiple times.
The fact that this decisive third fight headlined a card celebrating women`s boxing at such an iconic venue further underscores the progress and prominence the sport has achieved, largely thanks to trailblazers like Taylor and Serrano.