Three & Out: Katie Taylor Beats Amanda Serrano Again

Three & Out: Katie Taylor Beats Amanda Serrano Again

The third fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano lacked all the fury that made the first two fights so special and memorable. It was technical, conservative, but nonetheless thoroughly absorbing. But the change of pace brought the exact same result.

Katie Taylor repeated her previous two wins to once again outpoint Amanda Serrano on a majority decision to retain her undisputed world super-lightweight titles. One judge couldn’t split them, scoring it 95-95. But the two remaining judges saw it in favour of Taylor by a somewhat wide 97-93. I had Taylor edging the fight without any hint of controversy.

But it was another desperately close fight, with the majority of rounds being extremely difficult to score. Serrano, after losing the first two fights, needed to leave no doubt, but she couldn’t manage to do that, and the Puerto Rican can this time have few complaints that the decision didn’t go her way. Serrano, at least to this observer, just wasn’t doing enough. The fight was fought at a range and a pace that suited Taylor.

Serrano might regret how she fought in the coming days. The change of tactics worked to a point in the first half of the fight, but she never stepped up the pace. Taylor was comfortable when she needed to be made uncomfortable. Serrano offered too much thought and not enough force. It wasn’t quite a Katie Taylor masterclass, but it was enough on the night.

The trilogy closed out with a bit of a whimper, and there will be no demand or need for a fourth fight. In three fights, Taylor did enough to stamp her authority. Serrano leaves their personal rivalry without any reward. Nobody would have screamed if she had won all three fights, and she almost certainly deserved to have registered a win in the second fight. But overall, Taylor just had her number. But not by much.

There was no drama this time. Taylor avoided the power punches of Serrano. The Puerto Rican avoided the head of Taylor, but she was often out of range with her own punches. Certainly, compared to their titanic previous fights, it was a little one-paced. It just didn’t quite catch fire the way many hoped or thought. Maybe the two brave warriors just didn’t want to put their bodies through all that pain again. For twenty rounds, they bared their souls. This time, Taylor and Serrano probably didn’t have has much to give. They boxed rather than brawled. Throughout the ten tight rounds, you just had the feeling that Serrano needed to do more, and yet again, you sensed that she would leave the ring disappointed.

With the exception of the first fight with Chantelle Cameron, Taylor always finds a way to win, and she did so again. The fight was on the edge after six rounds, but Taylor boxed superbly in the 7th, and she closed out the fight with enough daylight to leave everyone with few complaints when her hand was raised for a third consecutive fight with her great rival. The stronger finish from Taylor sealed her victory. Serrano didn’t seem to try to change gears, content, or hoping that what she was doing would be enough. I just felt that she was the fighter with a little more to give.

Both now face an uncertain future. I wouldn’t be that surprised if both decide to walk away, especially Taylor. At 39, she might decide that enough is enough. Another trilogy is there if she wants it. Chantelle Cameron defeated Jessica Camara earlier in the evening, and if Jake Paul waves enough cash, that might tempt Taylor to fight again. There is unfinished business there. But I have a feeling Katie Taylor will indeed say goodbye.

It was another sold-out Madison Square Garden and another great advert for women’s boxing. Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions delivered a stacked all-female card. Hopefully, more will follow.

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have now finished their business inside a boxing ring. But they will undoubtedly share a place in the Hall of Fame. A classic rivalry that will stand the test of time.