Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano both knew that trash talk wasn’t necessary when they faced off for the first time yesterday.
The top two women’s pound-for-pound fighters were front and centre for a press conference to officially announce their April 30 bout at Madison Square Garden, New York.
On the night Taylor’s undisputed lightweight and pound-for-pound crowns will be on the line against the seven-weight world champion in what is one of the biggest fights of the year and this century.
“This is history right here and all of our hard work is going to be paid off for at this time,” said Taylor.
“I think that this fight is the most exciting in the sport, not just female boxing. This really is the best fight in boxing right now.”
Serrano too was respectful of her equally iconic foe and insists the time for talking will be done by her fists in the ring come fight night.
“I don’t need to talk bad any of my opponents. I do all of my talking inside the ring.
“13 years, I’ve been professional and every other day I have wanted to quit… never did I imagine making the money I have today. I mean, headlining MSG, like what?”
Supporting the main event will be the long overdue super-welterweight clash between Liam Smith and Jessie Vargas as well as the women’s undisputed super-middleweight title fight between Franchon Crews Dezurn (WBC, WBO champion) and Elin Cederros (IBF, WBA).
Co-promoters Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul spoke of their pride in seeing the historic main event take place.
“This is going to be not just the biggest female fight of all time, but one of the biggest fights of all time. This feels like an iconic moment for the sport,” said Hearn.
“Today is about Amanda and Katie, the two best female boxers in the world right now,” said Paul
“They deserve this stage; this historic payday and they deserve to settle who is the pound for pound best which is why I’m excited to see this fight.
“We’re proud to stand with Amanda Serrano, the superstar, a woman who has dedicated her life to boxing.”