Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano put one another through hell once more, and once again the Irish star left with a narrow victory.
Taylor won a bloody bout 95-94 across the board, improving to 24-1 (6 KOs) to defend her unified junior welterweight title in Arlington, Texas, in the fight before Jake Paul soundly outscored Mike Tyson.
Serrano, 47-3-1 (31 KOs), was badly cut by the right eye, but gave Taylor all she could handle with the winner even having a point deducted in the eighth for use of the head.
While it was a wildly-exciting fight like their first encounter in New York in 2022, Taylor did not see many similarities between the two epics.
“I think it was a very different fight tonight than the first time. I started off probably a bit slow,” said the 38-year-old. “I changed it up in the second half the fight where I just stood there and fought with her. But I think I definitely landed the bigger punches tonight, especially the second half of the fight. And that's actually what won me the fight in the end, I feel. But you're right, another really close fight, two epic fights, two very close decisions, and I'm just proud to be part of such another huge night for women's boxing.”
Serrano felt aggrieved by the outcome, but Taylor said there was no malice behind their heads coming together in round eight.
“It just happens sometimes when you're fighting against a southpaw, especially the fighters coming close and it just happens. It was completely accidental. I mean, they're calling me a dirty fighter or whatever, but that wasn't purposely done. Obviously I am in there fighting like she is and it’s a rough sport and sometimes you get head clashes. You have to fight through those things.”
Taylor said she would entertain a third fight if that was what Serrano wanted and said their styles, chins and will to win blended to make a second great contest. She also knew that Serrano’s team felt they deserved the verdict.
“I didn’t even know what he was saying to be honest. I knew they are obviously complaining about the decision, but I really don't care. I'm standing here as a victor again. I fought her twice, I beat her twice. All the judges were in agreement. So I really couldn't care less what's being said about the fight. I'm standing here again, I'm 2-0 against Serrano and I'm very, very happy.”
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