Tonight, boxing fans will witness a monumental event as Katie Taylor takes on Amanda Serrano for their highly anticipated third bout at the iconic Madison Square Garden. This fight is being heralded as the biggest in the history of women’s boxing, and rightly so. Not only is it the first-ever female trilogy matchup of significance, but it also takes place in the most famous boxing arena in the world. The previous two encounters between Taylor and Serrano have been nothing short of legendary, showcasing the immense talent and determination of both fighters.
As the fight approaches, a surprising trend has emerged regarding ticket sales. This week, tickets on platforms like Ticketmaster were available for as low as $44, inclusive of fees. This is an astonishingly low entry price for such a prestigious event. For comparison, the cheapest seat for the following night’s Weird Al Yankovic show at the same venue is priced at nearly double. This leads to some pressing questions: Why the low demand? Is the excitement for this trilogy waning? Are Irish fans less inclined to travel across the pond to support their beloved athlete? Or is boxing experiencing another slump? The answers may lie somewhere within these possibilities.
Renowned boxing writer and Hall of Fame inductee Thomas Hauser shared his thoughts on the current atmosphere surrounding the fight. “It doesn’t have the same buzz that their first fight had,” he remarked, indicating a sense of fatigue among fans. Hauser was present at the original Taylor-Serrano bout in April 2022, which many, including himself, deemed the Women’s Fight of the Year. “Not only was it the biggest women’s fight ever,” he noted, “it might have been the best.” However, this time, many fans, including Hauser, feel a lack of excitement compared to their initial encounter.
Despite the dip in ticket sales, both fighters continue to gain popularity and acclaim. Katie Taylor, who suffered her first career loss in April 2023 against Chantelle Cameron, rebounded spectacularly by winning a rematch just six months later, reclaiming her title and solidifying her position atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Meanwhile, Amanda Serrano has also enhanced her reputation through fierce performances, including a hard-fought battle in their second clash where she displayed incredible resilience.
As the fight draws nearer, Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, maintains that ticket sales are ahead of their first encounter. He reported that the event is trending toward a sellout, despite the visible number of unsold tickets and the presence of “Tickets Available” signs at the press conference. The promotional effort included a claim of “17 sanctioning body world titles” being on the line, a figure that raised eyebrows given the nature of title inflation in boxing, where there are reportedly over 1,380 female titles available across various weight divisions.
Another factor affecting attendance could be the current sentiment among Irish fans. Although Katie Taylor has built a strong connection with her home crowd, recent events have led to a noticeable absence of Irish supporters at promotional activities for this fight. Recent travel advisories from the Irish government, particularly concerning the treatment of LGBTQ travelers, may also play a role in fan attendance. There are questions about whether Irish fans will make their way to Madison Square Garden, especially in light of previous significant turnout.
Despite the mixed feelings surrounding ticket sales and fan engagement, the expectation for an electrifying fight remains. Both Taylor and Serrano have proven their ability to deliver thrilling performances, and if history is any indicator, their third bout is likely to be just as captivating as the first two. The pre-fight atmosphere, however, seemed somewhat subdued, with both fighters appearing more lighthearted during the face-off at the press conference than the intense rivalries typically seen in boxing promotions.
As the boxing world gears up for this historic trilogy fight, the narrative continues to unfold. Will Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano deliver another classic? Only time will tell. What remains certain is that their rivalry has already solidified its place in boxing history, and regardless of ticket sales, fans should prepare for an unforgettable showdown at Madison Square Garden.
