The undisputed lightweight champion won by shared decisions after participating in all 10 rounds with the Puerto Rican boxer, in the first women’s fight for the title at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York. After a difficult number of laps, which saw Taylor stumble on some occasions, he managed to bring it back to the end of the race. Serrano, a nine-time world champion in seven weight classes, was at the top after the middle laps and scored some powerful punches that left Taylor with a bloody nose. Image: Katie Taylor has retained her status as the undisputed lightweight champion. Photo: AP The result was very close to call, but the Irish fighter scored it on the judges’ scores: one gave 96/94 to Serrano, the other two 97/93 and 96/93 to Taylor. It was arguably the toughest test of Taylor’s career, but she extended her unbeaten record to 21 wins in as many games, retaining WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles. Speaking after the match, the 35-year-old champion said that she was open to a rematch. “Let’s do it again, Amanda,” he said. Her supporter, Eddie Hearn, said she could “see a big rematch later in the year” and suggested the couple compete in Ireland to give Taylor a chance to perform in Dublin’s Croke Park. Hearn, who also promotes people like Anthony Joshua, called the fight “one of the biggest battles in Madison Square Garden history.” Picture: Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in the first round of their epic fight. Photo: AP Read more: Women’s boxing has taken a ‘massive turn’ and COVID has helped make it happen, says world champion Taylor also took a moment to recognize her rival, saying: “What a fighter Amanda Serrano is. “I think we are both winners here tonight – look what we have both done – sold out Madison Square Garden. “The biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing and we have both broken so many obstacles throughout our careers.” On Twitter, Serrano said she “did not make the decision” but believed she “fought a big battle”. “I’m glad we made women ‘s boxing look great tonight. Now I’m going to start spending some of that money,” she added. Welcoming the crowd, 33-year-old Jake Paul’s supporter said he would be “absolutely” willing to fly to Ireland for a rematch.

Analysis by Jacqueline Beltrao, sports presenter

As if Katie Taylor could be loved or respected more, she made the return of her life, to the struggle of her life, to build a little more of her legend and significantly advance the cause of women’s boxing and her place in sport. more. The still undisputed, undefeated world lightweight champion and pride of Ireland was really shocked by Amanda Serrano’s scary punch. The noisy crowd of Madison Square Garden had come to see a “war” and a “war” was exactly what it took. This fight responded to the advertising campaign and more. Was it one of the biggest boxing nights in the Garden in recent years? Yes, it was. These women gave birth. But that could easily have been Taylor’s first professional defeat, as Serrano’s infamous punch power paid off in the middle. In the fifth round, the Puerto Rican southpaw grabbed the moment, injuring Taylor with a series of punches. It was brutal and the champion was dazzled as Serrano was in complete control. In the sixth round there was much more punishment for Taylor, who had bloodshot eyes and a nose, but somehow did not fall down. Shocked and in agony, Taylor showed why she is the champion with great composure under the pressure to regroup somehow and return to the fight, choosing her tedious opponent in the next rounds.
The judges split up – two of them gave it to Taylor, but it could hardly have been closer. Serrano’s supporter, Jake Paul, immediately tweeted “you stole”, but the bold appearance of both sets up the inevitable rematch – says Taylor while she is still in the ring. They both leave with a seven-digit check, the biggest payday in women’s boxing. It’s far from the days when women champions could barely afford it. The good news is that they will do it all again at the end of the year with Bray’s most famous celebrity defending perhaps these four glittering bands on Irish soil. “It was a draw at best, we thought we won,” he said. “Amanda made an amazing appearance, it was the fight of a lifetime.” “The crowd is booking, but everyone is a winner here tonight,” he added. “Let’s put it back, as Eddie said in September, October, the second race was much bigger.”