Stevie Morgan: Chasing The Bright Lights

Stevie Morgan: Chasing The Bright Lights

On Friday night, Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions will put on the greatest all-female card in boxing history. An unbelievable array of female talent will grace the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The headline act is the trilogy fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. One last dance between the two great rivals. Millions will tune in on Netflix. For the vast majority of fighters, that kind of platform is akin to the promised land.

A former opponent of Serrano will cast a somewhat envious eye on what happens in New York, as she prepares for her latest outing the following night. Stevie Morgan will return on Saturday night in Sioux City, Iowa, in a ten-round contest against Crystal Garcia Nova from the Dominican Republic.

The fight, which has the WBA Gold lightweight title on the line, won’t carry anywhere near the same razzmatazz that the Jake Paul supercard will generate twenty-four hours earlier, but for Morgan, it will be another little step towards what the Tampa native hopes will lead to another night under the bright lights.

Morgan tasted the big time when she fought Amanda Serrano in 2024. It ended in two rounds. But Morgan, despite suffering her second professional reversal, liked the attention. Enjoyed the limelight. She now wants to taste it again.

The Florida fighter is now on her self-titled Vengeance Tour. Since losing to Serrano last July, Morgan has stayed incredibly busy. Three fights and three wins, including two early nights in those ‘comeback’ fights. In many ways, it is a sign of things to come.

Morgan says boxing has given her freedom, but it has also given her desire and an outlet to chase her dreams. At 36, Morgan will know it has to happen sooner rather than later. The American seems intent on making things happen through regular activity and dreaming big.

It was in 2008 that Stevie Morgan first walked into a boxing gym. The Covid pandemic put an end to her Olympic aspirations. Morgan turned professional in 2022, nineteen fights in, you know that she is a fighter determined to make up for lost time.

“This will be my 4th fight this year,” Morgan told FightPost. “I’m looking to make a real statement with this girl. I’m not planning on it going to a decision.”

It’s easy to enjoy the New York glitz and glamour that will get served up on Friday night. A Netflix special that will bring millions of eyes to the female side of the sport. At a time when it is needed the most. But boxing isn’t always that way. Stevie Morgan has seen all sides of the sport. “Unless you are signed to a big promoter, it’s a very hard circuit, especially for a woman,” Morgan once told me. “We do it wherever we can. The shows are a lot smaller, with no exposure.”

But Morgan is dreaming of a return to a bigger stage with plenty of exposure. Having experienced those bright lights when she fought Amanda Serrano. Morgan is now chasing another legend of the sport.

“I got excited when I heard Holly Holm was back in boxing and in my weight division, and ultimately I’d love to continue a path that’s anything but ordinary and have an opportunity to share the ring with another legend.”

Holly Holm is one target. But there are also aspirations of fighting for world titles at lightweight or any weight division in and around the 135 ranks. Five pounds on either side, Morgan told me she would take any major opportunity that comes her way.

It’s difficult not to root for fighters like Stevie Morgan. Trading blows in the shadows, chasing the golden ticket. Morgan could sit and wait for the phone to ring. But the route she has chosen is the old-fashioned way. Holly Holm may or may not come her way. But if she keeps fighting and winning on a regular basis, those hopes of fighting for a world title will surely come to fruition.