Katie Taylor conclusively ends Amanda Serrano rivalry with trilogy win
Action delivered on all-female fight card
Who wants to see a fourth fight?! Nobody, really. Probably not even Amanda Serrano after Friday night’s efforts. Katie Taylor has certainly never lacked for effort and her workrate in the Madison Square Garden main event never faltered.
Her calmer boxing brain, rather than all-action style, won out in Madison Square Garden, as the Irish star was met with a rather odd tactical approach from her great generational rival.
Indeed, as trilogies in the female code go, this is the one everyone will remember for years to come. Two well-matched warriors, despite the lopsided look of three wins for Katie in the history books. Their first two meetings were fought at a blistering pace, containing ebbs and flows of momentum.
This one was more of a thinking fight. It turns out that Taylor is as good at thinking and boxing her way through a fight as she is bulldozing into opponents with frenetic bursts. Serrano complained beforehand about Taylor’s illicit headwork, even donning a headguard at one of the press conferences to visually enhance her point.
This one wasn’t about controversy; it was about one woman drawing a line under their rivalry with nothing left to the imagination. Serrano is a great fighter, but Katie Taylor is the better of the two. The Bray bruiser needed a willing high-profile dance partner to cement her legacy and prove her value on the biggest stage. She’s done it. Three times over.
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Wins for Baumgardner, Green and Scotney on Taylor-Serrano III undercard
The scores at the end of the Alycia Baumgardner-Jennifer Miranda fight didn’t really tell the full story. Baumgardner won the fight by virtue of her crisp accurate, heavier shots. Miranda’s jab, awkwardness and constant right hands should’ve earned her more rounds.
Shadasia Green was crying tears of joy after toppling Savannah Marshall to become a two-belt super-middleweight champion. Green’s extra power earned her a split decision win. Marshall, absent from the boxing ring for two years, gave up her height and reach advantages as she tired.
Ellie Scotney may not be a big puncher, but her crisp, pinpoint shots ensured she left the New York ring with all three belts after posting a dominant display over Yamileth Mercado.
‘Sugar Neekz’ the undisputed queen, while Cameron is functional
The new undisputed bantamweight queen is Cherneka Johnson, who definitively cast off the novelty tag to post a ninth-round stoppage over Shurretta Metcalf. Johnson was a late replacement, which makes it even more impressive.
Chantelle Cameron posted a solid, if unspectacular, points win over Jessica Camara to successfully defend her WBC super-lightweight crown. A third fight with headliner Katie Taylor is in Cameron’s sights, but is it realistic?
Ramla Ali may have been a tad fortunate in receiving a decision (unanimous, no less) over Brazil’s Lila Furtado. Ali’s work was more refined. Furtado’s felt more frequent and persistent.
Two-time Olympian Tamm Thibeault has made a flawless transition to the pro game. A likeable personality, with a solid southpaw style, Thibeault boxes three-minute rounds. Her knockout of an unbeaten but overmatched Mary Casamassa was always on the cards.
Image Credit: BBC.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
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