
Katie Taylor's Defeat of Amanda Serrano: A Controversial Decision

The much-anticipated rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano delivered a fierce and closely contested battle, but the unanimous decision in favor of Taylor has sparked widespread controversy. The fight, which was billed as one of the biggest in women’s boxing history, left many fans and experts divided over whether the right winner had been crowned.
The Build-Up: High Stakes for Both Fighters
The first encounter between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in 2022 was a thrilling fight, which saw Taylor edge out Serrano by a narrow decision. However, many observers felt that Serrano had done enough to win and that the decision was a controversial one. This rematch, therefore, carried immense significance—not just for the two boxers, but for women’s boxing as a whole. Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion, was looking to defend her titles, while Serrano, the powerful Puerto Rican fighter, was seeking redemption and a chance to capture the lightweight crown.
Both fighters entered the ring with something to prove, and fans were expecting nothing less than another classic battle between two of the sport’s most elite athletes.
Fight Summary: A Back-and-Forth Battle
From the very first round, the fight lived up to its expectations, with both women showing off their immense skills and determination. Amanda Serrano, known for her knockout power, came out aggressively, aiming to impose her will on Taylor early. Serrano’s heavy hands and relentless pressure were a major factor in the early rounds, as she was able to corner Taylor and land some punishing shots.
On the other hand, Katie Taylor demonstrated why she is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. Her speed, footwork, and ability to land clean, sharp counters made her a difficult target for Serrano. While Serrano’s power was evident, Taylor’s precision and boxing IQ allowed her to avoid much of the damage and retaliate with combinations of her own.
The middle rounds were where the action really heated up. Serrano’s power continued to be a major factor, with her hooks and body shots causing Taylor some visible discomfort. However, Taylor’s resilience and movement allowed her to stay competitive, landing sharp counters and continuing to avoid the worst of Serrano’s aggressive onslaught.
By the eighth round, a headbutt left Amanda Serrano with a cut above her right eye, which added to the drama and raised further questions about the fight’s flow. The injury seemed to impact Serrano’s performance in the later rounds, as she had to contend with both Taylor’s pressure and the bleeding from the cut.
The Final Rounds: The Decision Looms
In the final two rounds, both fighters were visibly tired, but still pressing the action. Serrano continued to apply pressure, but Taylor’s superior conditioning and experience allowed her to fight smart and avoid any major damage. Despite a significant cut and the toll the fight had taken, Taylor still managed to land precise, clean shots, and appeared to close out the fight with more composure.
However, Serrano’s fans argued that the aggression and power she displayed throughout the fight should have been more heavily rewarded. Despite the head injury, many believed she had done enough to win the fight or at least get a closer scorecard.
The Decision: Unanimous Decision for Taylor
After the 10 rounds were completed, the judges rendered their verdicts. Katie Taylor was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 96-94 (twice) and 97-93.
While Taylor’s victory was clear to the judges, the decision raised eyebrows in the boxing world. Amanda Serrano’s supporters believed the fight had been much closer, and many felt that the decision was not a fair reflection of the contest’s true nature. Serrano had fought with relentless aggression, landed more powerful shots, and seemed to have the edge in terms of overall physicality, especially after the headbutt that led to the cut on Taylor’s face.
Many observers felt that Serrano’s dominance in the middle rounds—especially her ability to hurt Taylor on a few occasions—deserved greater recognition, and that the scorecards didn’t accurately represent how the fight played out. The question on many fans’ minds was whether the head clash that caused the cut to Serrano’s eye unfairly influenced the judges, or if Taylor’s precision and cleaner shots in the later rounds gave her the edge.
Post-Fight Reactions: Mixed Opinions and Controversy
While Katie Taylor showed immense respect for her opponent after the fight, acknowledging the difficulty of facing someone like Serrano, the controversial nature of the decision led to a mix of reactions.
- Katie Taylor expressed her gratitude to the fans and acknowledged how tough the fight had been. “Amanda’s a warrior. She pushed me to my limits tonight. I knew she was going to come strong, and I had to dig deep to win.”
- Amanda Serrano, though disappointed by the result, handled the loss with grace, thanking her fans and promising to continue fighting at the highest level. “I left everything in the ring tonight, but the decision wasn’t in my hands. I’ll keep fighting and looking for more challenges in the future,” Serrano said in her post-fight interview.
Fans on social media were divided. Serrano’s supporters felt that the decision was unfair and that Serrano had done enough to win, especially considering the headbutt that caused the cut. On the other hand, Taylor’s fans praised her for maintaining her composure in the face of adversity, believing her cleaner, more technical boxing ultimately deserved the victory.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
With Taylor’s victory, she remains the undisputed lightweight champion, but the controversy surrounding the fight’s scoring means the story between these two fighters is far from over. A trilogy between Taylor and Serrano is already being discussed, as many believe that their rivalry still needs a definitive conclusion. Both women have proven themselves as two of the top fighters in the sport, and the potential for a third fight would undoubtedly generate massive interest from fans and boxing media alike.
Amanda Serrano, though disappointed, is not out of the picture. At 35 years old, she remains one of the best fighters in the world and could very well make a return to the ring for another title shot. Given the competitive nature of the rematch, a third fight could be in the cards sooner rather than later.
Conclusion: A Classic Rivalry, But No Clear Winner
The Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 fight was a thrilling, action-packed contest, but the controversial decision leaves many wondering whether Serrano was robbed of what could have been a historic victory. Despite the contentious nature of the outcome, both women showed incredible heart, skill, and determination in what may go down as one of the greatest rivalries in women’s boxing history.
As the debate over the decision rages on, it seems that the saga between these two champions is far from over. The question remains: Did Katie Taylor truly earn the victory, or was Amanda Serrano unjustly denied a win? Only a trilogy fight could potentially settle that debate once and for all.