Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 2: What Happened in the First Fight?

The Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano first fight, which took place on April 30, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York, is widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s boxing matches in history. This historic bout featured the undisputed lightweight champion, Katie Taylor, defending her titles against Amanda Serrano, who was the reigning WBC and WBO featherweight champion. The fight became a landmark event for women’s boxing, not just because of the talent and rivalry on display but because it showcased the immense skill and determination of both fighters in front of a packed crowd.

In the buildup to the fight, there was already significant hype surrounding it, as it was the first time two female fighters would face off for the undisputed lightweight championship, with both Taylor and Serrano regarded as among the best in the sport. The fight delivered in every way possible, with both women pushing each other to their limits in a thrilling, 10-round battle that ended in a split decision victory for Taylor.

The Fight:

The Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano fight was fast-paced and action-packed, with both women showcasing their skills and determination. Here’s a breakdown of what happened in the fight:

Round 1:

Serrano came out aggressive from the start, looking to establish her presence with her powerful left hand. She landed several solid shots that caught Taylor’s attention early on. Taylor, known for her excellent footwork and quick combinations, tried to avoid Serrano’s heavy shots, but Serrano’s left hooks and body punches seemed to be landing clean. Serrano won the first round based on her stronger punches.

Round 2:

Taylor responded well in the second round. She found her rhythm, landing sharp combinations and maintaining her distance with her quick footwork. Serrano tried to get inside and land her signature left hooks, but Taylor’s counters and speed allowed her to take control of the round. This was a competitive round, but Taylor’s technical boxing earned her the edge.

Round 3:

Serrano continued to press forward and apply pressure, landing a strong left hook that hurt Taylor. Serrano’s power was evident in this round, as Taylor seemed to be on the back foot, trying to avoid the clean shots coming from Serrano. While Taylor landed a few counters, the damage from Serrano’s punches gave her the advantage in round three.

Round 4:

Taylor responded in the fourth round with her best boxing of the fight, landing quick combinations and showing excellent movement. Serrano’s power was still a threat, but Taylor’s ability to move and counter allowed her to score points and avoid the heavier shots. Taylor took this round with her superior boxing and speed.

Round 5:

Serrano came out with renewed aggression, looking to land her powerful punches, particularly to the body and head. Serrano’s pressure seemed to overwhelm Taylor for stretches of the round, and she landed some solid hooks that visibly hurt Taylor. Serrano’s ability to keep Taylor on the back foot in this round made her the winner.

Round 6:

The sixth round saw Serrano take control once again with her aggressive style. She landed multiple left hooks and body shots that seemed to affect Taylor, who was starting to show signs of swelling around her face. Serrano’s relentless attack gave her the advantage in this round.

Round 7:

Taylor fought back in the seventh round, using her footwork to stay elusive while landing a few clean counters. However, Serrano continued to press the action, landing powerful shots whenever she got inside. The round was close, but Serrano’s pressure seemed to give her the edge.

Round 8:

In the eighth, Taylor had one of her strongest rounds. She controlled the tempo of the fight with quick combinations and excellent lateral movement. Serrano’s punches still carried power, but Taylor was able to avoid much of the damage and effectively score with sharp counters. Taylor won this round with her excellent technical boxing.

Round 9:

The ninth round was another close one, with both fighters landing big shots. Serrano continued to press forward, landing some solid left hooks, but Taylor’s clean counters and defensive movement kept her in the fight. Taylor edged the round by landing a few more clean punches.

Round 10:

In the final round, both fighters were tired but still determined to give their all. Serrano came forward, trying to land that decisive knockout blow, but Taylor finished the fight strong, landing several key punches. The last minute of the round saw Taylor countering effectively, landing some sharp jabs and hooks that likely secured the round for her.

The Decision:

After 10 rounds of non-stop action, the fight went to the judges’ scorecards. The decision was a split decision victory for Katie Taylor, with the judges scoring the fight as follows:

Judge 1: 96-94 Katie Taylor
Judge 2: 96-94 Amanda Serrano
Judge 3: 96-94 Katie Taylor

The fight was incredibly close, with both fighters having their moments of dominance. While Serrano’s power and aggression were a key part of her game, Taylor’s speed, technical boxing, and ability to finish strong likely made the difference in the judges’ eyes. Many fans and analysts believed that Serrano had done enough to win the fight, particularly due to her power and the damage she inflicted on Taylor during the middle rounds. However, Taylor’s ability to move and land clean combinations in the final rounds may have tipped the balance in her favor.

Aftermath and Impact:

The fight was a career-defining moment for both fighters. For Katie Taylor, the victory solidified her position as the undisputed lightweight champion, and her status as one of the greatest female boxers of all time was further cemented. Despite the controversial nature of the decision, Taylor’s skill, resilience, and determination in the ring were undeniable.

For Amanda Serrano, the loss was a difficult blow, but she gained even more recognition for her courage and heart in the ring. Many observers believed that Serrano was deserving of the victory, and her performance against Taylor earned her the respect of the boxing world. The fight helped elevate women’s boxing to new heights and proved that women’s boxing could generate the same level of excitement and intensity as the men’s sport.