Lucas Jones
Two years after thrilling fans during the undisputed lightweight clash at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the biggest fight in women’s boxing history is ready for its long-awaited sequel.
And the stage is somehow even bigger and brighter than the first time.
Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) agreed to defend her titles against four-belt featherweight queen and seven-division champion Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) in the co-main event from the July 20th showdown between Jake Paul and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The rematch was announced Tuesday morning on social media by Paul, the 27-year-old social media influencer turned boxer who is also Serrano’s promoter under his Most Valuable Promotions banner. The fight joins Tyson-Paul as part of a unique event that will be broadcast live on Netflix to its more than 260 million subscribers, with no pay-per-view upsell charges.
While the exact set of rules under which Paul will compete against the soon-to-be 58-year-old Tyson is not yet known, in what is expected to be an exhibition, Taylor-Serrano II will be contested under the traditional women’s boxing rules of two-minute rounds . and 10 rounds in total. Serrano, 35, wrote on Instagram on Tuesday that, just like their first meeting, she pushed for 12 rounds of three minutes each, just like in men’s boxing, but it was Taylor who used her influence as champion to secure the terms of her choose, just like on your first date.
“Finally!!! I promised my fans this rematch and I wanted it to be 12×3 minute rounds”, wrote Serrano. “But Katie wanted 10-2 – she’s the champion, so that’s what we’ll do.”
Taylor, the 37-year-old Irishwoman who became a folk hero in her home country during the years following her gold medal run at the 2012 Olympics, beat Serrano by split decision despite being injured along the way. during that fantastic 2022 Showdown. Not only was the atmosphere inside the arena off the charts that night, but the future Hall of Fame fighters somehow exceeded expectations ahead of a fight considered the most important women’s boxing match to date .
“This is the rematch the world wanted to see and I’m so happy it’s finally happening,” said Taylor. “The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different. I want to thank Matchroom and DAZN for their help in making the fight possible and I look forward to defending my titles as undisputed world champion in Dallas on Saturday, July 20.”
Serrano, a proud native of Puerto Rico who fights out of Brooklyn, New York, initially secured an immediate rematch in May 2023 in Ireland, but had to withdraw due to a training camp injury. Taylor instead moved up to 140 pounds and lost a majority decision to undisputed champion Chantelle Cameron before responding triumphantly with a narrow victory in the November rematch.
In the process, Taylor joined Terence Crawford as the only boxers in the four-belt era to become undisputed champions in multiple divisions and the first to do so simultaneously. Serrano, meanwhile, has stayed busy recording four wins since defeating Taylor, including a tough 2023 decision over Erika Cruz in a bloody war that saw Serrano capture all four of her 126-pound titles.
“I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t make the decision, so this time I’m not going to leave it up to the judges,” Serrano said. “I am honored to share this iconic MVP card in the biggest stadium, on the biggest streaming platform in the world.
“And to all the girls and women watching, I want you to know that anything is possible. Keep dreaming, keep working hard, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. It took me 15 years of blood, sweat and tears to get here, but everything It’s worth it because I’m living my dreams.”
Tyson, who hasn’t fought professionally since retiring in 2005, returned for a 2020 exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. that produced an impressive 1.6 million PPV buys.
“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” said Tyson. “I know they can both put on an incredible show and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These notable athletes will undoubtedly elevate the event with their global appeal and fan base. for this unforgettable event is a true gift to the fans that Saturday, July 20th, can’t come soon enough.”
