Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 2: Controversy as Irish Star Wins Rematch by Unanimous Decision

The long-awaited Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 2 rematch has finally taken place, and it has once again sparked widespread debate and controversy among boxing fans, analysts, and fighters alike. This high-stakes encounter, which aimed to settle the score after their dramatic first fight in April 2022, ended with Katie Taylor emerging victorious by unanimous decision. However, many fans and boxing experts are questioning the fairness of the decision, as some feel that Amanda Serrano did enough to secure the win.

The Rematch: A Tense, High-Drama Affair

After the drama of their first fight—where many believed Serrano had been robbed by the judges—expectations for the second bout were sky-high. This time, the stakes were even higher. Taylor was defending her undisputed lightweight championship, while Serrano was eager to prove she was the rightful winner from their first encounter.

The Fight: Close, but Controversial

As expected, the fight was a back-and-forth affair, with both women displaying their world-class skills. Serrano, known for her power and aggression, came out swinging early, while Taylor relied on her footwork and technical boxing to counter and avoid damage. The middle rounds were marked by heavy exchanges, with Serrano landing some devastating punches that seemed to rock Taylor several times. Taylor, however, showed incredible resilience, continuing to box on the move and score with her counters.

As the fight went into the later rounds, it became clear that both fighters were exhausted, but neither was willing to give an inch. In the final rounds, Taylor’s superior boxing and ability to clinch rounds with sharp jabs and combinations appeared to earn her the edge.

The Unanimous Decision: What Happened?

When the final bell rang, the judges scored the fight in favor of Katie Taylor by unanimous decision. The official scorecards were:

96-94 for Taylor (twice)
97-93 for Taylor (once)

On paper, this might seem like a clear win for Taylor, but the controversy lies in how close the rounds were and whether Serrano had done enough to secure at least a draw or even a victory in the eyes of the judges.

Many of the social media reactions and post-fight discussions were filled with accusations of a “robbery” against Serrano. Despite Serrano’s power shots and the damage she inflicted on Taylor, the judges seemed to favor Taylor’s defensive approach, counterpunching, and ring control. Fans were particularly vocal about the fact that Serrano had hurt Taylor several times throughout the fight, while Taylor’s punches—though skillful—did not appear to have the same level of impact.

Key Moments of Controversy:

Serrano’s Strong Middle Rounds: Serrano appeared to dominate much of the middle rounds, landing clean, powerful punches that seemed to rattle Taylor. Many felt Serrano’s performance in these rounds should have earned her more points from the judges. However, Taylor was able to recover quickly and outbox Serrano in the later rounds, which may have swayed the judges’ perception of the fight.
The Damage Factor: Serrano’s power punches left visible marks on Taylor’s face, and some fans felt that the judges should have given more weight to the damage caused by Serrano’s strikes. While Taylor certainly avoided a lot of damage, her occasional flurries weren’t as visibly damaging as Serrano’s shots.
Scoring Subjectivity: The most significant point of contention was the subjectivity of boxing scoring. Some fans believe that Serrano’s aggressive offense and power punches should have been weighted more heavily than Taylor’s clean counters and ring control. Boxing scoring often rewards defensive fighters, but in a close fight like this, it’s easy to see why fans felt Serrano’s offense should have been the determining factor.
The Final Rounds: Taylor’s ability to finish strong in the last few rounds, especially with her quick footwork and sharp jabs, may have tipped the scales in her favor. Some analysts believed she pulled ahead in the final moments of the fight, but whether that was enough to offset Serrano’s earlier dominance was heavily debated.

Sports World Reacts:

The decision did not go unnoticed in the world of boxing, and several famous names weighed in on the outcome:

Devin Haney, the reigning lightweight champion, expressed his surprise at the decision, tweeting that he felt Serrano had done enough to win.
Claressa Shields, another celebrated female boxer, also voiced her disappointment, stating that she felt Serrano had outworked Taylor and deserved the victory.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of the fight, gave credit to both women for their performances but backed Taylor’s victory, noting that Taylor’s technical boxing had given her the edge, particularly in the later rounds.
Fans on social media were largely divided, with many feeling that Serrano had been robbed despite a valiant effort, while others supported the decision, citing Taylor’s defensive skills and ring control as the deciding factors.

Katie Taylor’s Post-Fight Reaction:

Despite the controversy, Katie Taylor expressed immense respect for Amanda Serrano, acknowledging the challenge she presented and emphasizing how tough the fight was. Taylor mentioned that she felt the fight was very close, but she was happy to retain her titles and was open to the possibility of a third fight if fans wanted it.

Amanda Serrano’s Reaction:

Serrano, though visibly disappointed, was gracious in her post-fight comments. She thanked her fans and supporters and vowed to come back stronger. She also reiterated her belief that she had done enough to win, but promised that if there was ever a third encounter, she would be more prepared than ever.

What’s Next for Both Fighters?

The question now is whether we will see a third fight between these two women. With the controversy still fresh, many fans and analysts are pushing for a decisive rubber match to put the rivalry to bed once and for all. A third fight would undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated bouts in boxing history, and it would allow both fighters the opportunity to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who the true winner is.

For Katie Taylor, the victory is another chapter in an already legendary career, but the controversial nature of this win will likely linger, as many feel the first and second fights between these two women have been far too close for comfort. For Amanda Serrano, this rematch has only increased her profile, and she will certainly be back in the title picture.

Conclusion: Was Taylor’s Victory Justified?

The controversy surrounding the unanimous decision in the Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 2 rematch is undeniable. While Taylor’s victory was seen by some as a fair reflection of her boxing skills, others believe that Serrano was the true winner based on her powerful punches and the damage she inflicted on Taylor.

Regardless of who you believe won, one thing is certain: both of these women have made history, and the debate over the result will keep fans talking for years to come. Whether a third fight happens remains to be seen, but if it does, it promises to be yet another unforgettable chapter in one of the greatest rivalries in boxing.