Photos: Emily Harney
In a long-awaited female super fight from the sold out Madison Square Garden in New York City, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 KOs) took the women’s pound-for-pound recognition from Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs) with a split decision on Saturday night. Taylor fought in quick flurries. Serrano pressed the action and landed the more damaging shots. Taylor took major damage in round five. Serrano inexplicably took her foot off the pedal from rounds seven to nine. Round ten was toe-to-toe. Scores were 96-94 Serrano, 97-93, 96-93 Taylor.
All three judges scored the last three rounds for Taylor.
“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is,” said Taylor afterward. “I think we are both great fighters. Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history.
“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers. It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing fight. What a night!
“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person.”
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