Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: A Sign of the Times

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: A Sign of the Times

A multi-million dollar deal. Supporting a glorified freak show in a sport that far too often resembles a billion-dollar big top extravaganza. Nobody does it better, someone once sang. I doubt Carly Simon was referencing boxing in that timeless little number, but sometimes amidst all the madness and more that engulfs an often-tainted sport, we get something rather special. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will give us that.

Taylor and Serrano will head to Texas in July. They will leave significantly richer.

The two legendary fighters will, unfortunately, but rather predictably have to play second billing to Jake Paul and the remnants of Mike Tyson. A grotesque affair that will be an exhibition of many things. A shameful cash grab that’s laced with exploitation and much more. There is an obvious danger that whatever Taylor and Serrano serve up will still be greatly overshadowed by what follows. Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield would be a good reference point of the dangers of such events. Will boxing ever learn?

For many reasons, Jake Paul and the circus that he brings can quite rightly be criticised. But there have been beneficiaries from the money he has brought with him. Amanda Serrano will testify to that. Katie Taylor will now also feel a little of the Jake Paul effect. Taylor is reportedly earning an estimated purse of $6m for her long-awaited rematch with Serrano. Neither fighter would be earning anywhere near that amount without the so-called YouTube sensation doing his thing. I do wonder where the sport will be once the Jake Paul boxing story has run its course and the Saudi money is no more. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t last. Boxing history tells us that. Nobody seems to care about blatant sportswashing. But they will care when the money well runs dry.

But Taylor and Serrano won’t care too much about what lies ahead. And why should they? For twenty minutes, they will trade blows with the same ferocity that made their iconic first meeting in 2022 such a wonderfully historic showcase for their sport. The greatest women’s fight of the modern era. A Madison Square Garden classic. Those iconic walls have seen many a great fight. Trust me, that was right up there with any of them.

Serrano lost their first encounter for the undisputed world lightweight titles by a somewhat controversial wafer-thin split decision. The rematch will have the undisputed world super-lightweight baubles on the line. But like the first fight, weight won’t decide anything. Heart, desire, and skill will.

The Puerto Rican, who still holds various world featherweight belts, gave up her WBC title in protest at their stance over only allowing two-minute rounds for their world championship fights. Serrano said she only wants to fight three-minute rounds for the remainder of her career. Some will cite her apparent hypocrisy for fighting Taylor over the more standard two-minute rounds. But Eddie Hearn said the opportunity for his fighter was far too good to turn down. That also applies to Serrano. Katie Taylor brings opportunity and extreme financial rewards. Other fighters who might try to claim a form of avoidance bring neither of those things to the table. No fighter would turn down what was offered. Why should Serrano?

The fight with Serrano gives Taylor another little chapter in her quite remarkable career. Almost certainly the most important fighter in the history of women’s boxing. She is a trailblazer in every way imaginable.

The fighting obituary of the Irish pioneer has been written many times. A long career at the very top of her sport does that. At 37, soon to be 38, Taylor can’t have long left. Even she can’t defy Father Time forever. Too many hard nights have undoubtedly left a lasting mark. Taylor despite her protests, doesn’t have long left.

The Croke Park narrative is a seemingly never-ending story that will likely never end. An incomplete little chapter on her resume. The sport owes Katie Taylor that moment at the very least. Her promoter does also. Maybe even more so. The last dance is coming. All concerned need to act fast if the dream Croke Park scenario is to finally be realised. But I do wonder if that ship has already sailed even if nobody will dare admit it publicity. It won’t happen this year. And will Taylor still be around long enough in 2025 for it to happen next year? I have my doubts.

Taylor only wants and deserves big fights for the remainder of her career. Those types of fights will bring imminent danger. A second career defeat will never be that far away. Hearn is talking up future fights with the likes of Alycia Baumgardner and a third fight with Chantelle Cameron, which hopefully for Cameron still happens. But Serrano is more than capable of ruining any future plans. She came extremely close last time remember. The odds say it will be extremely close once again. Taylor is a slight betting favourite. But was that tremendous effort that Taylor gave in winning her rematch with Cameron last November something she can’t ever replicate again. Sooner rather than later, the body will say enough is enough.

But Taylor will fight for as long as she can. Punching her way further to boxing immortality. Another little rendezvous with Serrano will only enhance her legacy. Even though her ageing body will not be so welcoming with what is to come.

Despite my reservations and frustrations about the two future Hall of Fame fighters having to dance again as a co-main to a main event that is a symbol of what is so badly wrong with boxing in the modern era. I do get it. This is far and away the biggest fight the female side of the sport can offer and it should be given a starring role. But the shameful Tyson and Paul experiment and the global Netflix audience that comes with it will admittedly bring an insane amount of eyes to Taylor and Serrano. Hopefully, they will pay enough attention to appreciate what they will see.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing