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Serrano Faces Off With Katie Taylor To Confirm Rematch After Battle With Cruz

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 5th February 2023.

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano

Amanda Serrano came out on top of a bloody battle with Erika Cruz to seal the deal for a second fight with Katie Taylor in Dublin, Ireland.

Serrano was crowned undisputed champion with the victory over a valiant Cruz, who was hurt in the sixth round and also fought a big part of the fight with a nasty cut on her forehead after a clash of heads.

The DAZN-broadcast and Matchroom-promoted featherweight contest was an all out war from the first bell, delighting the New York crowd and, once again, providing a brutal and brilliant advert for the womens side of the sport.

The Mexican gave it everything, and managed to keep swinging until the final bell. She was, in a word, relentless, but pipped to the post by a smarter Serrano. In the end, she took it on the cards 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93, which perhaps don’t tell the story of the grit Cruz showed.

After her history making result, Serrano enjoyed the glory before her next plans were announced.

“Sheโ€™s a Mexican champion. I knew she wasnโ€™t going to let me just take her belt. She worked hard for this, I worked hard for mine. We trained for this. I wouldnโ€™t expect anything less.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ve successfully completed all my dreams. Becoming undisputed champion was great.”

Her trainer then entered, who said “We go to Ireland next.”

Indeed they do, as Eddie Hearn officially announced the Katie Taylor rematch for May 20 in Dublin. Taylor – who won the first by split decision – entered the ring for a face off, the two undisputed woman ready to run back what many called the fight of the year.

As expected, there wasn’t a venue attached to the promo. Whilst the Croke Park discussions are still ongoing, now with Conor McGregor involved, it’s expected the fight will land at the 3 Arena before Taylor gets the chance to fight at the stadium later in the year.

Earlier in the night, Alycia Baumgardner also become undisputed in the super featherweight ranks with a unanimous decision victory over Elhem Mekhaled. She floored Mekhaled twice in the third round and hurt her again later on in the fight.

The French fighter troubled Baumgardner, too, though, and came on strong in the final part of the fight. In the end, it was given to the American 99-89, 99-89, and 98-90 on the cards.

The full undercard results can be seen below.

  • Richardson Hitchins UD-10 John Bauza
  • Yankiel Rivera UD-8 Fernando Diaz
  • Skye Nicolson UD-10 Tania Alvarez
  • Ramla Ali UD-10 Avril Mathie
  • Shadasia Green TKO-6 Elin Cederroos
  • Harley Mederos TKO-6 Julio Madera
  • Aaron Aponte UD-8 Joshua David Rivera