Amanda Serrano’s bout against Nina Meinke is cancelled due to the Puerto Rican fighter being deemed ‘medically unfit’ just minutes before the clash
- Amanda Serrano was declared medically unfit on Friday after suffering an eye injury
- Her home crowd booed the emotional fighter as she addressed them in the ring
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Amanda Serrano broke down in tears in the ring when it was announced that her main event against Nina Meinke had been canceled on Saturday night, just minutes before it was due to take place.
Serrano was deemed medically unfit to compete by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission after suffering an eye injury on Friday.
Event promoter and Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced that the fight had been canceled approximately 30 minutes before Serrano was scheduled to enter the ring.
“Amanda Serrano has unfortunately been declared medically unfit to fight tonight by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission due to an eye injury she suffered yesterday,” a statement from MVP said.
‘She is devastated that she will not be able to perform in front of her hometown fans, but despite her desire to put on a show, the Commission said there is no way she can fight her eye in its current state.
Amanda Serrano broke down in tears when it was announced that her main event had been canceled
Jake Paul announced that the Puerto Rican fighter had been declared medically unfit
The announcement came just minutes before Serrano was set to fight Nina Meinke (right)
“This decision has the same consequences for Nina Meinke and MVP will pay her fight fees in full. MVP and Amanda would like to apologize to everyone in attendance and the company will issue full refunds to anyone who seeks one. Details about the ticket refund process will follow.
“Amanda is proud of the way her fellow MVP teammates competed tonight, appreciates the love and support of her fans and hopes to return to the ring soon.”
The event would be Serrano’s homecoming, marking the first time she fought in her native Puerto Rico since becoming the undisputed featherweight champion.
But the home crowd booed the emotional fighter as she addressed them in the ring after the announcement.
“I wanted to fight for my people,” Serrano said, apologizing and adding that she would one day have her retirement fight in Puerto Rico.
She later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to apologize to her fans and her opponent.
Serrano was visibly emotional as she apologized to her home crowd on Saturday evening
She later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to apologize to her fans and opponent
“This to all my beautiful fans, my island, my fellow fighters who have sent me good wishes. With a torn broken heart I want to say I am so sorry,” she wrote. “Anyone who knows me knows that I am a warrior and I would never agree to cancel a fight. I would have fought without an eye or an arm.
“To my opponent @ninathebrave you are a great respectful fighter. I thank you and promise that we will fight and you will get your title shot. You deserve it all
“To my managers @jakepaul, I love you with all my heart Nakisa, you too. You are my lifeline and savior, you have given me meaning
“With all my heart Jordan, on your birthday I messed with the ball. I’m sorry and I love you more than life.”
Her promoter Jake Paul, who stopped Ryan Bourland in his second straight victory against a professional boxer before Serrano’s move on against Meinke, suggested the problem arose 36 hours before the fight.
“Amanda came to fight, was put in a tough camp (but) she failed some eye tests,” he said.
Paul stopped Ryan Bourland (right) in his second straight victory against a professional boxer
‘Her cornea is exposed, you can’t risk losing your sight forever. I know she is a warrior. This happened at the very last minute.’
MVP announced at the event that everyone who paid for tickets would receive a full refund.
Meanwhile, WBO president Francisco Paco Valcarcel said Serrano would not be stripped of her title and Meinke will remain the mandatory challenger.
“I’m absolutely devastated,” Meinke said. “We all wanted this fight – I wanted this fight. Puerto Rico wanted this fight. I really hope we can make this happen again.”