Amanda Serrano insists she can deliver a stoppage victory if she and Katie Taylor agree a rematch… and admits Jake Paul ‘changed her life completely’ after teaming up with the YouTube-boxing star
Amanda Serrano has insisted she can score a victory against Katie Taylor as the pair reignite their feud in the ring.
The undisputed featherweight champion collided with Taylor in a seismic showdown at Madison Square Garden in 2022 on a historic night for women’s boxing.
It was the first ever women’s fight to be held in New York’s iconic arena and attracted an audience of more than 1.5 million viewers from around the world.
Taylor would ultimately claim a split-decision victory against the Puerto Rican, but the prospect of exacting revenge is something that excites Serrano, who admitted that Taylor would be the only boxer she would consider coming back to fight in rounds of two minutes to fight.
“Definitely, I would love the rematch,” the undisputed featherweight champion told Mail Sport. “And for Katie, she would be the only person I would be willing to go back to the two minutes for.”
Undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano says she would like a rematch against Katie Taylor
Serrano (left) was defeated by Taylor (right) via split decision in their seismic 2022 clash
Serrano (R), who relinquished her WBC title in December, stated that Taylor (L) would be the only fighter she would face again in two-minute rounds.
The Puerto Rican had vacated her WBC title in December 2023 after the organization refused to sanction twelve three-minute round matches. Women’s fights are generally contested in 10 two-minute rounds. But Serrano gave up her title, saying she wanted the sport to evolve so female fighters could compete in the same format as male boxers.
“Even if she wants to do three minutes, we can do it in three minutes. But she will be the only one I would go back to the two minutes for and it will be a great fight. We had a great first fight and I think the second one would be even better because I’ll be a bit stronger and smarter.”
She added, “If we have the rematch, I believe I can get the break this time.”
It’s been 12 months for Serrano since she became the first Puerto Rican fighter, male or female, to be crowned undisputed world champion, before successfully defending her titles twice.
But the next twelve months could be just as important. While a rematch with Taylor has yet to be agreed upon, she faces the daunting hurdle of defeating Nina Meinke on March 2 in front of a sold-out home crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The fight will be the highlight of an exciting night of boxing, with her promoter, Jake Paul, also returning to the ring to fight Ryan Bourland on the same card.
Serrano made headlines as one of the top talents in women’s boxing before signing with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021. Nevertheless, joining the organization was one of the best decisions of her career.
“He (Paul) and Nakisa Bidarian (his business partner) completely changed my life,” she said.
Serrano (left) takes on Nina Meinke (right) in front of a sold-out home crowd in Puerto Rico on March 2
Serrano joined MVP in 2021, claiming co-owners Jake Paul (left) and Nakisa Bidarian (right) completely changed her life
There is no doubt that this step was crucial. Serrano has been able to use the platform that the YouTuber-turned-boxer has created to grow her profile as one of the best fighters in the world.
“Jake is a great guy, you know, he already wanted a girl on his card in 2021. And I was the lucky girl!’
“I had to make sure I got out there and performed. Then they called me and said, “Do you want to sign with MVP?” And I said, “Yes, let’s do it.” And it changed my life.
‘They have only attracted more viewers, not only for me, but also for women’s boxing. Many more people are paying more attention to women’s boxing. They know that women box and that we can fight. So it’s been an exciting two or three years with Jake, Nakisa and MVP and they always want the best for me, which is super, super different than what I’m used to.”
Known for his outspoken nature and extravagant lifestyle, Paul has quickly become one of the big names in boxing, having recently scored victory against former UFC star Nate Diaz and a first-round knockout victory against Andre August in December.
Serrano praised Paul (pictured) for making her feel calm during interviews and insisted she wanted to make him proud in the ring
Eddie Hearn hinted at the possibility of a rematch between Taylor and Serrano last week
Serrano added, “Jake’s personality is different than what he shows online. He gives me the confidence to go out and perform.”
Serrano and Paul have also been hitting the gym together, with a humorous video surfacing online showing the undisputed featherweight champion unloading a fury of punches into Paul’s abs.
“Jake is a character, so he always is, especially when we’re doing interviews or when we’re together. He relaxes me and keeps me calm,” she said.
‘It’s just that his personality is different from what he shows online. He’s just a different person.
“And he gives me the confidence to just go out there and perform because I always want to make him proud. I want to make the team proud. MVP pride. So I always challenge myself to the very best of my ability.”
What does this year have in store for Serrano? Although the undisputed featherweight champion isn’t looking much further than her fight against Meinke, she remains enthusiastic about the growth of women’s boxing.
‘The event will be big. The arena is almost sold out. That’s an honor for a woman to do that.
In 2023, Serrano became the first Puerto Rican fighter, male or female, to be crowned undisputed champion following her victory over Erika Cruz
Serrano added that “women’s boxing as a sport is progressing tremendously and it will only get better.”
“But yeah, it’s going to be a great night and the last time I fought in Puerto Rico was during COVID so there was no crowd. Now I have to stand in front of 18,000 to 19,000 people, I have to go out and perform, like I always do. And we have a great menu.
‘I think women’s boxing is progressing enormously and is only getting better. There are great talents coming into the sport. So I’m excited to see the women’s boxing of the future.”