Katie Taylor Wins Razor-Close Split Decision Over Amanda Serrano in 10-Round Slugfest

Katie Taylor Wins Razor-Close Split Decision Over Amanda Serrano in 10-Round Slugfest

In a fight that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish, Katie Taylor emerged victorious over Amanda Serrano in a razor-close split decision in their highly anticipated rematch. The two women went toe-to-toe in a 10-round slugfest that showcased the very best of women’s boxing—skill, power, heart, and grit. While the decision was controversial, with some questioning the outcome, there was no denying that both fighters left it all in the ring.
The fight took place on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event, but it was Taylor vs. Serrano that stole the spotlight for boxing fans worldwide. Their first encounter in 2022 was a classic, and this second meeting promised to be just as explosive, if not more.
A Fast-Paced Start: Serrano’s Aggression vs. Taylor’s Movement
From the opening bell, the tension was palpable. Amanda Serrano wasted no time in setting the tone, coming out aggressively and pressing forward with her trademark power punches. Known for her knockout ability, the Puerto Rican boxer had Taylor on the back foot early, landing solid jabs and left hooks that seemed to catch the Irish champion off guard. Serrano’s ability to close the distance quickly and land heavy blows was evident, and it looked like she might be on her way to dominating the early rounds.
But Katie Taylor is no stranger to adversity, and she quickly adapted to Serrano’s pressure. Using her superior footwork, speed, and boxing IQ, Taylor began to move around the ring, landing sharp counters and evading much of Serrano’s power. Taylor’s jab was a key weapon in keeping Serrano at bay, and despite Serrano’s early success, the round ended with Taylor showing flashes of her own sharp boxing.
Serrano’s Dominance in the Middle Rounds
By the third round, Serrano had clearly settled into a rhythm, using her relentless pace and powerful hooks to push Taylor back. The Puerto Rican star’s strength and ability to work inside were evident as she closed the distance and landed devastating body shots. While Taylor had moments of success, including some slick combinations, it was Serrano’s pressure that seemed to dictate the action in the middle rounds.
In the fourth and fifth rounds, Serrano appeared to have the upper hand, consistently landing heavy shots that rocked Taylor. The Irish champion’s defense was starting to show cracks, and it seemed as if Serrano’s power might be the deciding factor. Taylor’s face began to show signs of the punishment she had absorbed, but she remained composed, continuing to box and avoid any catastrophic damage.
Taylor’s Heart and Skill Shine Through
Despite Serrano’s success in the middle rounds, Katie Taylor’s resilience and boxing acumen began to shine through in the final stages of the fight. In rounds six through eight, Taylor found her rhythm, countering Serrano’s aggressive attacks with beautiful right hands and left hooks. She seemed to regain control, landing more clean punches and effectively neutralizing Serrano’s power by moving well and keeping her at the end of her punches.
As the rounds progressed, both fighters were visibly fatigued, but neither showed signs of backing down. Serrano continued to march forward, looking for the knockout, but Taylor’s movement allowed her to continue scoring with precision while avoiding the worst of Serrano’s shots.
The Final Rounds: An All-Out War
By the ninth and tenth rounds, both fighters were giving it their all, with exhaustion setting in but neither willing to give an inch. Serrano’s power remained a constant threat, and she continued to push forward in hopes of landing a game-changing shot. Taylor, on the other hand, dug deep and showcased the heart of a champion, landing combinations and showing remarkable endurance in the face of immense pressure.
In the final moments, it was clear that both women had poured everything into the fight. Serrano’s power punches and Taylor’s quick counters kept the crowd on its feet, and the anticipation built to a fever pitch as the final bell rang. Both fighters embraced in the center of the ring, knowing they had just left it all on the line.
The Split Decision: Controversial Scoring
When the scorecards were read, Katie Taylor was declared the winner by split decision. The official scores were 96-94 and 97-93 for Taylor, with one judge scoring it 95-95, making it a split decision. The decision was met with mixed reactions. While many felt Taylor deserved the win due to her skillful boxing and ability to control the fight’s pace in the latter rounds, there was also a strong argument from Serrano’s camp, who felt the Puerto Rican boxer had done enough to earn the victory, especially after dominating much of the middle rounds.
The headbutt incident, which opened a cut on Serrano’s face, added another layer of controversy to the result. Some fans argued that the injury, which was caused by an accidental clash of heads in round six, might have tilted the fight in Taylor’s favor, as it affected Serrano’s ability to see and allowed Taylor to control the fight better in the later rounds.
Despite the controversy, both fighters were gracious in defeat and victory. Katie Taylor praised Serrano’s toughness, calling her “one of the best in the world,” while Serrano expressed her belief that she had done enough to win the fight.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
With the win, Katie Taylor retains her undisputed lightweight crown, but this contest was far from a definitive statement. Serrano’s power and heart made this a close and thrilling contest, and many fans are calling for a third fight between the two fighters. Given the nature of the rematch and the closeness of the decision, there’s a strong chance that these two champions will meet again in the future.
For Katie Taylor, this victory solidifies her place as one of the best female boxers of her generation. However, it also sets the stage for a potential unification bout against other top contenders in the division.
Amanda Serrano, though disappointed with the decision, showed that she is still a force in the lightweight division, and she will undoubtedly be back, aiming for another shot at the title.
Conclusion: A Fight for the Ages
The Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 rematch will go down as a classic in women’s boxing history. The fight was a display of skill, heart, and determination, with both women proving why they are among the best in the sport. While the split decision may leave some fans with lingering questions, there’s no doubt that both fighters gave everything they had.
Whether or not this is the final chapter in the rivalry remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: women’s boxing is in a golden age, and Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are at the forefront of this exciting new era.