Katie Taylor closed the chapter on one of the greatest rivalries in women's boxing history, defeating Amanda Serrano via majority decision in their third and final clash to retain her undisputed super-lightweight championship.
The historic showdown unfolded at Madison Square Garden in New York City—once again the site of their legendary first encounter. The venue was packed with over 19,000 passionate fans, evenly divided between Taylor's Irish supporters and Serrano's Puerto Rican faithful. The electric atmosphere set the stage for another fiercely competitive battle between two of the sport’s elite fighters.
Close but Clear: Taylor’s Tactical Edge Seals the Trilogy
After 10 intense rounds for the WBO, WBC, IBF, and WBA 140lb world titles, Katie Taylor was declared the winner by scores of 97-93 on two judges' cards, with the third scoring it 95-95. The majority decision gave Taylor her third consecutive win over Serrano, following a split decision in their iconic 2022 meeting and a narrow unanimous win in their 2023 rematch.
Taylor, now 25-1 (6 KOs), entered the bout with a focused game plan, choosing to box smartly rather than engage in relentless exchanges. Serrano, who drops to 47-4-1 (31 KOs), adopted a more cautious approach than in their previous contests. Her strategic shift—staying at range and trying to score with long punches—ultimately fell short against Taylor's precise counter-attacks and ring control.
"I don’t know, I just don’t want to fight Amanda Serrano again. She punches too hard," Taylor said candidly after the fight. "We have made history three times. We are history makers forever. I thought I was boxing very smart, and she wasn’t able to catch me very much tonight."
Despite a less action-packed start, the pace picked up by the third round with both fighters exchanging flurries. Serrano began to apply more pressure in the middle rounds, especially in the fifth, where she pinned Taylor in the corner briefly. However, the Irish champion skillfully fought her way out and reasserted her control in the final stages.
Taylor, who showed visible swelling under her right eye by round eight, displayed grit and composure to edge the last two rounds—likely sealing the win on the cards.
Serrano remained gracious in defeat, reflecting on her more measured approach.
"We tried to work smarter, not harder this time," she said. "We tried to stay with the long punches and one-twos, and it just wasn’t enough."
End of an Era: No Fourth Fight Planned
With the trilogy now complete, Taylor ruled out a fourth fight with Serrano. The future for both fighters remains uncertain, though Taylor's cagey post-fight remarks hinted she may be considering retirement or at least a new direction in her career.
 |
| Taylor ruled out a fourth fight with the Puerto Rican star |
This third fight also marked a milestone event—it was the first all-women’s boxing card at Madison Square Garden, further cementing the historical legacy of the Taylor-Serrano rivalry.
Undercard Highlights: Marshall Shocked, Scotney Claims New Crown
Savannah Marshall Upset in Comeback Fight
Elsewhere on the undercard, Savannah Marshall suffered a surprising split decision loss to American Shadasia Green in a 168lb unification bout for the IBF and WBO titles. Despite one judge scoring the contest 96-93 in Marshall’s favor, Green earned the win on the other two cards (95-94 and 96-93), even with a point deduction for holding. Marshall, a former undisputed super-middleweight champion, was returning to boxing after a brief stint in MMA.
Ellie Scotney Unifies Super-Bantamweight Titles
Ellie Scotney delivered a standout performance, dethroning Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado to claim the WBC super-bantamweight title. The 27-year-old Brit added the belt to her IBF and WBO titles with a dominant unanimous decision (100-90, 98-82, 98-82), ending Mercado’s six-year reign.
Other Notable Results:
- Chantelle Cameron returned to winning ways with a convincing unanimous decision over Jessica Camara.
- Ramla Ali, back after a year out of the ring, secured a hard-fought win against Lila Furtado via unanimous decision.
- Alycia Baumgardner successfully defended her undisputed super-featherweight titles against Spain’s Jennifer Miranda in another clinical performance.
Final Thoughts
Katie Taylor’s trilogy-clinching victory over Amanda Serrano marks a crowning moment in her storied career and the culmination of one of the most iconic rivalries in modern boxing. Their three encounters have pushed the boundaries of women’s boxing, drawing record crowds, headlining major venues, and setting new standards for excellence in the sport.
Whether Taylor continues her career or chooses to retire, her legacy as a pioneer, champion, and history-maker is firmly secured.
Brain Food: Manchester City Crush Juventus 5-2 to Top Group G at FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando
