By: Sean Crose
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano threw down for the third and perhaps last time Friday night. Headlining an all women’s card at a packed Madison Square Garden, both fighters not only battled each other, they battled the expectations that come with a third fight following on the heels of two instant classics. Taylor-Serrano 3 was broadcast live on Netflix and was scheduled for ten two minute rounds. At stake was Taylor’s undisputed junior middleweight championship.
The first round was a feeling out process for both fighters, though Serrano may have edged it through activity. Each fighter remained somewhat tentative in the second, though each landed some telling shots. It seemed as if Taylor controlled the tempo of the chapter. A fight broke out in a close third round that saw both fighters firing blistering combinations. Serrano stalked Taylor in the fourth, though neither fighter landed anything particularly telling.
The fifth round was a tough one to call. These were two world class pros plying their trade. It came down perhaps to what one preferred, the aggressive style of Serrano or the defensive acumen of Taylor. A high octane sixth saw Serrano once more pushing the action while Taylor relied on defense and counterpunching. Taylor appeared to take the seventh by landing clean and hard on her determined arch rival.
Serrano landed the best shot of the fight in the eighth, and likely took the round. The ninth was very close. Taylor may have ultimately landed the better punches, but it Taylor had landed shots of her own. Taylor landed more impactful punches in the tenth and final round. For the third time in as many fights, matters were ultimately in the hands of the touches. And, for the third time in as many fights, the judges ruled in favor of Taylor.
“What an amazing fighter,” Taylor said of Serrano after thanking the Man upstairs. “It’s such a privilege to share the ring with her.” A gracious Serrano thanked the fans for coming out for women’s boxing. “It was all because of you guys,” the future Hall of Famer said, filled with emotion. “Thank you, Katie Taylor,” she said afterward. “It’s been truly an honor.”
Taylor kiddingly indicated she didn’t want to face Serrano again. “She punches too hard,” Taylor claimed.
