Katie Taylor Dominates Rivalry with Amanda Serrano

It seems there’s no need for a fourth matchup. This rivalry, once competitive, has clearly turned into a one-sided affair.

Katie Taylor has definitely cemented her dominance in her contests with Amanda Serrano.

The anticipation surrounding their third fight didn’t translate into the same excitement. Taylor secured a majority decision victory on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, with judges scoring it 95-95, 97-93, and 97-93.

“I’m just grateful my hand was raised,” Taylor expressed afterward. “…I felt I boxed smartly tonight. Amanda didn’t land much, but it’s always a tough fight. I have immense respect for her; she’s a true warrior.”

For Serrano, the judges’ decisions have been frustrating, following losses in their prior two encounters.

Now, with three defeats, any arguments in her favor seem to fall on deaf ears.

Friday’s match lacked the intensity that characterized their previous fights. It didn’t quite capture the same drama or excitement.

Moments of action seemed few and far between, with significant inactivity marring the contest.

Both fighters appeared tentative, lacking that critical urgency that once electrified the crowd.

The arena was filled with flags from Puerto Rico and Ireland, though Serrano, being of Puerto Rican descent and raised in New York, enjoyed a home advantage over Taylor.

As the main event approached, Madison Square Garden buzzed with anticipation, ready to witness two powerful female athletes in action.

However, after the first bell, the crowd had little to cheer about.

Serrano aimed to increase the tempo, landing a few solid left hooks during the opening rounds after Taylor clinched to neutralize her attacks. Yet, Serrano’s usual relentless style was noticeably subdued, often countered by Taylor’s solid defense.

Despite Serrano (47-4-2) throwing more punches, Taylor’s strikes landed more cleanly and effectively.

“We approached this fight differently,” Serrano explained. “Our strategy was to keep a safe distance this time. The first two fights were intense, so we aimed to focus on long-range punches, but it just didn’t work out for us.”

“I’m grateful to Katie Taylor for these three incredible clashes. It’s an honor to face you; you’re a true champion,” Serrano added.

These two athletes were the first women to headline a boxing match at Madison Square Garden back in 2022, with Taylor winning that initial contest by a close split decision amidst widespread acclaim.

In November, their match was the co-main event of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson card at AT&T Stadium, attracting a monumental viewership of 47 million in the U.S., marking it as the most-watched women’s sporting event in history.

That fight, which Taylor won via unanimous decision, was a highlight, fostering demand for a third bout, despite Taylor leading the series 2-0.

Clearly, the interest in women’s boxing has surged in recent years.

Yet, the third installment felt more akin to a sequel that missed the mark rather than the engaging saga of the first two.

Nevertheless, it concluded with a definitive winner in this rivalry.

“We share a history,” Taylor noted. “And I cherish that.”