If you’re not a regular boxing fan and tuned into Netflix solely to watch Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson due to the event’s massive media coverage, here’s a tip: rewind a bit before the main event and treat yourself to the sensational fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. This bout, contested for the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO super lightweight women’s titles, is a spectacle you won’t regret watching.
The fight was incredibly close, with Taylor narrowly claiming victory via a unanimous decision, each judge scoring it 95-94. While the decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, there’s universal agreement about the high quality of the performances from both fighters.
The strategies were predictable, considering their first encounter in April 2022 at Madison Square Garden. Once again, Serrano claimed the center of the ring early, cutting off Taylor’s movement to land her explosive punches. This approach paid dividends late in the first round when Serrano cornered Taylor and landed a devastating combination, visibly shaking the champion.
Taylor adapted brilliantly, using movement, head slips, and quick counters in the following rounds to neutralize Serrano’s relentless pressure. The fourth round turned chaotic, with frequent clinches and Serrano suffering a cut from an accidental head clash. Still, Serrano ended the round with a vicious left hook to Taylor’s face, while Taylor regained control in the fifth and sixth rounds with her calculated boxing.
Realizing her focus on power punches was making her predictable, Serrano adjusted, favoring speed over force to increase her output. This shift turned the bout into a high-paced, back-and-forth war. Another accidental headbutt deepened Serrano’s cut, but from the seventh round onwards, both fighters abandoned caution and engaged in thrilling exchanges.
By the end of the eighth, Serrano appeared to be in control, her power punches and relentless pace giving her the edge. Taylor also received a penalty for head clashes, adding to her challenges. However, champions shine under pressure, and Taylor’s incredible determination in the ninth round swung momentum back in her favor. Her relentless aggression and tactical brilliance set the stage for a nail-biting final round.
The tenth round saw both fighters push through exhaustion, trading punches furiously in a round filled with dramatic momentum shifts. Serrano’s punches seemed more powerful, but Taylor’s closing offensive flurry left the judges with a tough decision.
This writer scored the fight 95-94 for Taylor. While opinions vary—some may favor Serrano’s aggression and activity over Taylor’s precision and cleanliness—calling the decision a “robbery” feels unjustified. Serrano was, after all, the hometown fighter, and her promoter staged the event.
As often seen in elite women’s boxing—where two-minute rounds intensify the action—many rounds were so close they could have been decided by the toss of a coin. Yet, rather than dwelling on the score, it’s better to celebrate the extraordinary technical skills and unmatched spirit displayed by these two exceptional boxers.