In a highly anticipated third encounter, Irish boxing icon Katie Taylor once again bested her fierce rival, Amanda Serrano, securing a majority decision victory at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York. The win allows Taylor to retain her undisputed super-lightweight championship and extend her dominant lead in their now-historic rivalry to 3-0.
Unlike their previous thrilling wars, the third installment presented a more measured and tactical affair. Both fighters began cautiously, feeling each other out before engaging. This initial pace stood in contrast to the immediate, high-tempo exchanges that defined their prior contests, suggesting a strategic adjustment from both camps.
As the bout progressed, Serrano pressed forward, utilizing her sharp southpaw jab and bursts of punches. Taylor, employing effective lateral movement and a disciplined defense, countered and sought opportunities to land her own shots. The middle rounds saw moments where Serrano appeared to edge ahead with her volume, while Taylor consistently used her footwork and counter-punching to regain control.
Taylor`s approach was notably more controlled than her usual relentless output. Her trainer, Ross Enamait, reportedly liked the overall pace, even as it differed from past performances. Conversely, Serrano`s corner, led by Jordan Maldonado, believed she was ahead in what was acknowledged by both teams as a close fight heading into the crucial final rounds.
It was in these later stages that Taylor`s execution of her game plan became particularly evident. Her disciplined attacks and tight defense proved effective. A key weapon for Taylor was her stiff jab, which helped her finish strongly and likely swayed the judges during tight exchanges.
The official scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the bout. One judge scored it a draw (95-95), indicating just how close the action was. However, the other two officials saw the fight clearly in Taylor`s favor (97-93, 97-93), resulting in the majority decision victory for the Irish champion.
Reflecting on the outcome, a visibly emotional Serrano thanked her promotional partners for their significant impact on her career and women`s boxing as a whole, noting she had “tried something different,” aiming for “working smarter, not harder.”
Taylor, while expressing satisfaction with her performance and confirming she “was able to execute the game plan very well,” offered a somewhat humorous assessment of future possibilities. Despite cementing her dominance with a 3-0 record against the Puerto Rican powerhouse, Taylor quipped about a potential fourth meeting: “I just don’t want to fight Amanda Serrano again – she punches too hard.” This statement, delivered after securing her third win, provided a technical acknowledgment of Serrano`s power mixed with a clear indication that, for now, the rivalry may be concluded.
This third victory solidifies Katie Taylor`s position atop one of boxing`s most compelling rivalries. With Taylor holding a clear 3-0 advantage and her expressed reluctance for a fourth meeting, this tactical battle at Madison Square Garden may well serve as the definitive conclusion to their memorable series, showcasing Taylor`s ability to adapt her strategy and overcome even the most formidable, hard-hitting opponents.
