Serrano & Baumgardner Go Undisputed In New York

Serrano & Baumgardner Go Undisputed In New York

Amanda Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner showed a few worrying faults that spring major concerns for what lies ahead but will wake up as undisputed champions of the world.

Serrano and Baumgardner had much tougher fights than the odds suggested beforehand and what the judge’s cards would tell you afterwards, both got hit far too much, but their greater edge in power saw them safely navigate some stormy waters before having their hands raised in victory.

Serrano danced with Katie Taylor last year in the same city and in the very same building. The size of the room differed last night, as did the opponent, and while there was a little less magic than what was served up last May, the entertainment and drama came close enough to satisfy.

The tough little Mexican Erika Cruz lost her WBA featherweight title and failed to take all the remaining baubles off Serrano, but still had her stock greatly enhanced by her gritty never-say-die performance. Cruz felt the power of her opponent on a number of occasions, fought with her own blood covering her features courtesy of an accidental head butt in the 3rd round, but never stopped punching or trying and can feel a little hard done to by the unanimous scores of
98-92, 98-92, 97-93 in Serrano’s favour. Cruz lost for the first time in seven years but perhaps gave her greatest performance in losing to Serrano who was widely expected to beat her with many degrees of comfort. It was anything but comfortable.

Serrano will now rematch Taylor in a fairytale homecoming for the Irish superstar on May 20th. Taylor, watching from ringside in the Hulu Theater, will be greatly encouraged by what she saw. Serrano had another bruising ageing fight, and with a few more hard miles on the clock, Taylor will carry much hope that she will win with far less discomfort in their much-anticipated million-dollar rematch later this year.

In the co-main event, Alycia Baumgardner turned back a tougher-than-expected challenge from Elhem Mekhaled to earn undisputed status at super-featherweight. But like Serrano, it was a hard night’s work for the American. Mekhaled gave her plenty to think about it and was effective with her right hand all the way through, but it was that extra power in Baumgardner’s own right hand that ultimately proved decisive. Mekhaled was having moments in the opening two rounds before a nightmare 3rd round that very nearly ended her night. Mekhaled was down twice and in truth, was extremely fortunate to survive. Baumgardner went for the finish but emptied her gas tank in the process. But while Baumgardner was a severely diminished fighter from her efforts, that 3rd round practically ended any hopes of the upset. The scores of 99-89, 99-89, and 98-90 flattered Baumgardner and were more than insulting to the loser. Mekhaled was hurt again in the 7th, but won rounds, and caught Baumgardner repeatedly, but was given little reward for her night’s work.  

The win gives Baumgardner options but may have to revisit an old rivalry while the divisions above play out to give her the fights she craves. Mikaela Mayer was seated ringside watching her old rival and will take renewed hope that her fellow American will entertain her once again. Some of the early reluctance from Baumgardner to fight Mayer again seems to have cooled somewhat in recent times, and with so much money left on the table and a simmering unfinished rivalry, it would be astonishing if the coming months do not give us another second edition from a fight from last year. Taylor and Serrano might not replicate what we got last time, but Baumgardner and Mayer are likely to top their first offering.

Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom