2024-11-16 05:32:00
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will be just as bloody and brutal as the original contest.
The same goes for this controversial decision – and the reaction to it.
Taylor defended her undisputed super lightweight title on Friday with a unanimous but extremely close victory over Puerto Serrano in a fight that was eerily similar to her epic fight in New York two years ago.
Three judges declared Taylor the winner 95-94, prompting boos from the crowd ahead of the NFL’s main fight at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, which also stars Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
The 38-year-old Irishwoman remains the undisputed champion of the super lightweight and featherweight divisions. It was Taylor’s third victory since her first career setback (24-1, six KOs).
Despite suffering a serious injury to his left eye in the sixth round, Serrano continued to throw punches and became a crowd favorite, much like the controversial split decision at Madison Square Garden in 2022.
In that sold-out event, the two fighters became the first female boxers to headline a combat sports event at the legendary venue. Serrano, 36, has won titles in seven weight divisions and has a record of 47 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, including 31 knockouts.
This game may have started a little slower than the New York game, but that changed when Serrano got hurt.
The injury forced the referee to stop the fight in the sixth round, and frequent close-ups throughout the rest of the fight drew gasps from viewers in the platform’s first combat sports stream.
However, Serrano never stopped throwing punches and seemed to have Taylor reeling in the final seconds of the fight. Taylor kept leaning on Serrano and seemed to have trouble standing up on his own. He already had a point deduction for a headbutt in the eighth round.
Taylor fought for the first time since avenging his only professional defeat a year ago when he defeated Chantel Cameron in a rematch in his home country to capture the undisputed super lightweight title.
The Taylor-Serrano fight in New York was more of a celebration of women’s boxing, even if there were questions about the outcome. Serrano was a little frustrated this time around, complaining about headbutts and improper holds as the fight wore on, asking if the fight was fair.
Serrano ran into trouble after the sixth round. Dr. Huan asked him if he could continue while the wound was being treated.
Puerto Ricans said yes, and there are no signs of slowing down.
The two fought hard for most of the fight, especially in the final round, knowing the judges’ decision would be a close one.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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How do you think the crowd’s reaction to the fight reflects the ongoing issues with boxing judging?
**Interview with Boxing Analyst Sarah Johnson on the Taylor vs. Serrano Rematch**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us today, Sarah. We just witnessed a thrilling rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. What were your initial thoughts on the fight?
**Sarah Johnson:** Thank you for having me. It was an incredible match that truly mirrored their first bout. The intensity and determination shown by both fighters were remarkable. Despite the close scorecards, Taylor managed to defend her undisputed super lightweight title again, but the controversy surrounding the judges’ decision will certainly spark further debate among fans and analysts.
**Interviewer:** Yes, there were some boos from the crowd. How did you interpret the reaction given the close nature of the fight?
**Sarah Johnson:** The crowd’s reaction speaks volumes about the emotional investment they had in this matchup. Many fans felt that Serrano deserved at least a draw, if not the win. The fact that the judges scored it so narrowly at 95-94 shows just how competitive it was, but also highlights the issue of judging in boxing, which can sometimes feel subjective and lead to frustration among supporters.
**Interviewer:** With both fighters being so skilled, what did you think were the key moments that led to Taylor’s victory?
**Sarah Johnson:** One of the pivotal moments was Taylor’s resilience after Serrano landed some heavy shots. Despite sustaining an injury to her left eye, Serrano kept pushing forward and showed immense heart. However, Taylor’s footwork and strategic clinches allowed her to maintain control, especially during crucial rounds. Her experience really shone through, which played a big part in swaying the judges.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of strategy, will this performance affect either fighter’s future plans? Where do you see them heading from here?
**Sarah Johnson:** For Taylor, this win reinforces her position as a top champion, but with age becoming a factor, she may want to consider her next moves carefully. As for Serrano, she has proven she can compete at the highest level, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in more high-profile bouts or even a trilogy fight with Taylor, given the drama and excitement they generate together. Both women have solid futures ahead if they keep building on what they’ve shown in the ring.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Sarah! Lastly, any thoughts on the co-main event with Jake Paul and Mike Tyson?
**Sarah Johnson:** That match is definitely generating buzz! While it provides entertainment value, it can overshadow the pure athleticism of matches like Taylor vs. Serrano. However, it’s great to see boxing attracting new fans, even if the context is different. I’ll be curious to see how that dynamic plays out in terms of audience engagement.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sarah, for your expert analysis and insights on this thrilling event!
**Sarah Johnson:** Thank you for having me, it was a pleasure to discuss this remarkable night in boxing!