No need for a fourth fight. This matchup has undeniably turned into a mismatch, with Katie Taylor now firmly establishing her dominance in this one-sided rivalry against Amanda Serrano. The highly anticipated third bout culminated in a majority decision victory for Taylor, with the judges scoring the fight 95-95, 97-93, and 97-93. This win, secured on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, allowed Taylor to retain her undisputed super lightweight championship in a groundbreaking all-women’s boxing card.
“I just thank God my hand was raised,” Taylor remarked after the fight. “I thought I did enough. I boxed smart and well, and she wasn’t catching much tonight, but it is always a close contest. I have a huge amount of respect for Amanda. What a warrior.” Despite Taylor's heartfelt acknowledgment of Serrano's skills, the latter was adamant that the judges had robbed her, adding to her frustration after losing all three fights in this trilogy.
This latest encounter bore little resemblance to their previous two bouts, which were marked by their high intensity and action-packed exchanges. In stark contrast, Friday’s fight felt lackluster, with both fighters showing a degree of caution that led to extended periods of inactivity. The rare flurries of punches lacked the fervor that characterized their earlier clashes.
As the atmosphere in Madison Square Garden was electric, with Puerto Rican and Irish flags waving throughout the venue, Serrano, born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, enjoyed a slight hometown advantage over Taylor. However, as the main event commenced, fans quickly found themselves disappointed with the lack of action. While Serrano attempted to raise the stakes in the third round with a few left hooks, Taylor swiftly clinched to neutralize her offense, effectively taking control of the fight.
Throughout the match, Serrano’s relentless offensive style — a hallmark of her previous fights — was noticeably absent. Although she threw more punches, Taylor's ability to land cleaner and more effective shots ultimately secured her victory. Serrano reflected on her performance, stating, “We tried something different. It was all about working smarter, not harder. I tried to keep my distance because apparently my plan didn’t work in the first two fights. So we tried to stick with the long punches, and it just wasn’t enough.”
In a show of sportsmanship, Serrano expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to Katie Taylor for an incredible three fights. It’s been truly an honor. You’re a true champion, a true warrior.” The significance of their rivalry cannot be overstated, as the two boxers made history in 2022 by becoming the first women to headline a boxing match at Madison Square Garden, where Taylor claimed victory in a split decision that was widely recognized as the Fight of the Year.
In November, Taylor and Serrano shared the spotlight as co-main event fighters on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson card at AT&T Stadium, where they drew an astonishing 47 million viewers in the U.S., setting a record for the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in history. This remarkable achievement only fueled the demand for a third bout, despite Taylor leading the rivalry 2-0.
However, the third fight, unlike its predecessors, resembled Godfather 3 rather than the first two installments of the iconic film series. Nevertheless, it did conclude with a definitive winner, solidifying Taylor's legacy in this rivalry. “We’re history makers forever,” Taylor declared triumphantly. “And I’m so happy about that.”
