The WBA supports Katie Taylor facing Persoon or Miriam Gutierrez if Serrano skips out
Before the collective world was tossed into disarray by COVID-19, undisputed world lightweight champion Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KO’s) was scheduled to face seven-division champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (38-1-1, 28 KO’s). Once the virus started calling the shots, the original fight date was scrapped and later a new date was identified. The road initially began getting rocky when Taylor’s Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, attempted to see if Serrano would take lesser money than originally stipulated.
At this point, the various parties’ stories alter to varying degrees. However, what is agreed upon is that Team Serrano decided to move on from the Taylor fight and take part in a reality television show. Unwilling to watch this happen, Hearn threatened the Real Deal and the television show with legal action if they proceeded with the production plans.
Seeking to avoid any costly legal squabbles, the show quickly retreated, leaving Serrano back at square one. In the eyes of Katie Taylor, regardless of how they got here, it should be easy math for Serrano now; she has no other fight planned and the reality show option was annihilated. Therefore, it would appear obvious that the already-agreed upon super-fight is the best way to go. The Irish boxing icon even took to her Twitter to say as much in the public eye.
OTHER OPTIONS IN PLAY
Unfortunately, the Puerto Rican phenom has yet to formally respond to the rekindled call-out. It appears The Real Deal has no other immediate obligations on the calendar. It would be a shame if she did not take the bout simply out of spite. However, if Serrano does indeed walk away, then Team Taylor is fully prepared to move on.
In an effort to brace for just such an outcome, Hearn has begun attempts to contract a rematch between Taylor and Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KO’s). The two talented women locked horns last June 1, 2019 in a fantastic and memorable action fight.
Sadly, the bout has been mired in controversy; most in the boxing world feel as though Persoon was swindled out of her just due when Taylor was award the unanimous decision victory. If that fight proves impossible to make, the WBA president has voiced who he wants to see get the opportunity.
“We support Katie’s fight with Serrano and Persoon, but if it’s not one of them, then she must face her mandatory Gutierrez. It’s been over two years since she won the title and her mandatory is overdue.”
~ Gilberto Mendoza, WBA president
The undefeated, three year pro, Miriam Gutierrez (13-0, 5 KO’s) had a busy 2019. That year, she fought a total of five times. Although, she has not been in the ring yet in 2020. Before Gutierrez can get her shot however, we must first wait and see what Amanda Serrano chooses to do.
By: Bakari Simpson
Be the first to comment