Despite heightened discussions of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano running it back, the Puerto Rican featherweight has business to take care of in her own division.
Taylor and Serrano were the stars of one of the fights of the year under the lights at Madison Square Garden – the first time a female bout had headlined a boxing card at the historic venue. Taylor won a split decision which was close enough for fans to call for an immediate rematch. Both fighters are interested, and it’s likely to land In Dublin as a homecoming fight for Taylor.
Since then though, two fights have happened. Serrano defended her unified featherweight titles against Sarah Mafoud, picking up the IBF belt for her troubles, and Taylor kept her undisputed lightweight belts this weekend against Karen Elizabeth Carabajal.
Despite those mandatories being taken care of, some more news from Serrano has again pushed the rematch further into the distance. The WBA this week announced that they have ordered her to face Erika Cruz.
Cruz, who is two defences deep into her WBA title reign, will get a shot at Serrano’s WBC, IBF, and WBO straps. She has a record of 15-1, and is currently on a 14 fight win streak since that singular loss.
Jake Paul, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions which handles Serrano’s career, congratulated her on Twitter.
“Dear Amanda – it’s time. Time to become Undisputed Featherweight Champion. You have dreamed to have the opportunity to get the WBA title. It’s your time. Thank you WBA.”
Dear Amanda @Serranosisters – it’s time. Time to become Undisputed Featherweight Champion. You have dreamed to have the opportunity to get the WBA title. It’s your time. Thank you @WBABoxing
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 1, 2022
Serrano made comment of her own, confirming that her preferred route map would be the unification with Cruz before another shot at Taylor in Ireland.
“Thank you sincerely to the WBA & to my Team Most Valuable Promotions [and] Jake Paul for this amazing opportunity. I want to go from this unification to my rematch in Ireland vs Katie. My entire career I’ve done these weight jumps, I’m that person.”
Thank you sincerely to the @WBABoxing & to my Team @MostVpromotions@jakepaul for this amazing opportunity.
I want to go from this unification to my Rematch in Ireland vs Katie.
My entire career I’ve done these weight jumps, I’m That Person 😉🙏 #CruzSerranohttps://t.co/MXcDeZuIqI— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) November 1, 2022
Serrano and Cruz will now enter a negotiation period to make the fight, with a purse bid looming should a deal not be reached.