The rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, one of the most highly anticipated matchups in women’s boxing, will take place on November 15, but the buzz around their fight has been muted.
Unlike their first meeting in 2022 – which headlined Madison Square Garden as the first female fight to do so and drew a huge global audience – this fight will be the co-main event on a card headlined by a more celebrity-based showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in Arlington, Texas.
It’s a choice that puts Taylor and Serrano in a difficult position: while the undercard placement significantly increases their revenue, it reduces the spotlight they would otherwise have in a main event setting.
Their first fight was widely regarded as a seminal moment in women’s boxing. Taylor defeated Serrano in a dramatic split-decision victory that showcased the technical prowess and intensity of both fighters.
The fight received universal acclaim – it was named Fight of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Event of the Year by The Ring – and left fans questioning whether Taylor was the rightful winner.
Although the rematch promises even higher stakes — with Serrano battling for revenge and Taylor, now 38, defending her legacy — the rematch is receiving less mainstream attention due to its placement under Tyson vs. Paul.
Katie Taylor will rematch Amanda Serrano as co-main event for Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
The fight will take place on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Both Taylor and Serrano have expressed their determination to “steal the show,” and I have no doubt that their performances that night will do just that. But if the build-up was any indication, you’d be forgiven for having doubts.
Clearly, the Paul-Tyson matchup has the potential to attract one of the biggest audiences of the year, providing valuable exposure to the co-main event. However, I would have liked to see more hype surrounding the women’s fight.
For the first fight, both Taylor and Serrano entered the ring with impressive records and stakes. For Serrano, a win would have made her Puerto Rico’s first undisputed boxing champion in any division or gender – a feat she later achieved against Erika Cruz.
Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion from Ireland, defended not only her titles but also her undefeated record and brought a crowd of supporters from around the world.
The fight was a fast-paced, technical contest marked by shifting momentum, especially in the fourth and fifth rounds, where Serrano nearly overwhelmed Taylor. Despite this, Taylor showed remarkable composure and rallied in the later rounds to earn a narrow split-decision victory after going the distance.
The rivalry between Taylor and Serrano has left fans divided over who was the real winner in their previous fight, adding to the anticipation for the rematch. At 36 years old, Serrano is still in top form and is benefiting from five straight wins. Meanwhile, Taylor bounced back after suffering her first career loss to Chantelle Cameron last year with a powerful victory in their rematch.
But despite their historic status, Taylor and Serrano will fight on the undercard of Tyson vs. Paul. Why? Each fighter is expected to earn more than $6 million – a career high for both and a significant win for women’s boxing as it highlights the increasing earning potential in the sport, especially for female fighters.
Taylor is one of boxing’s biggest stars and a pioneer of female fighters
Some fans felt that Serrano won the first fight against Taylor and are predicting that she will win the rematch
Serrano (pictured above fighting Heather Hardy) has won multiple titles at multiple weights
But this financial victory also reveals a harsh reality: even elite female fighters often have to participate in high-profile, entertainment-oriented fights to secure significant paydays.
Paul’s impact on Serrano’s career is undeniable; he and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have helped her increase her visibility and compensation since their collaboration in 2021.
Despite being a world champion with multiple titles in different weight classes, Serrano struggled to get the recognition, pay and opportunities that her male counterparts received.
Since joining MVP in 2021, Serrano has become even more of a household name, and the landmark fight between Serrano and Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden was the first women’s boxing headliner in the venue’s history. Therefore, it is clear that the collaboration has strengthened her career and set new records for women’s boxing.
However, Serrano’s inclusion on the undercard of a YouTuber boxing event raises questions about the respect and recognition for elite female athletes. Serrano’s skills and performance arguably deserve a starring role, not a supporting role. Combine her performance with Taylor’s and it should be a sellout at another historic venue.
So, what about the fact that Taylor and Serrano are fighting on the Tyson vs. Paul undercard? From a sporting perspective, the fight between Taylor and Serrano has more significance, both in terms of competitive merits and the history of their rivalry, than the main event itself.
This situation highlights a crucial problem: even the most talented women in boxing are often sidelined in favor of celebrity-driven matchups.
Will women’s boxing’s brightest stars continue to fight in the shadows of these spectacles, or will they ultimately command the main stage they deserve?