Amanda Serrano disappoints with decision to table Katie Taylor fight
At the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, Amanda Serrano retained the unified WBC/WBO women’s world featherweight titles with an easy unanimous decision win over current WBC women’s world 122-pound champ, Yamileth Mercado. It was a dominant performance. The 32-year-old showed once again why she’s one of the top female pound for pound fighters in the world. A seven-division world champion, Serrano was asked about her future and the possibility of facing current undisputed women’s world lightweight champion Katie Taylor.
“I want to become undisputed at featherweight first. I want Katie Taylor for the future…undisputed vs undisputed.”
Despite her accomplishments in the sport, being an undisputed champion is something she has yet to do. So, it is within reason why she wants to achieve that goal.
WHY NOT NOW?
However, a showdown against Taylor is the fight fans of the sport would love to witness. In 2020, serious negotiations took place between the two. Serrano ultimately backed out, claiming she wasn’t offered enough money.
Taylor v Serrano is arguably the biggest match in women’s boxing. Their visibility is at an all-time high. You would have a showdown showcasing two of the top five fighters in the sport. From a financial perspective, a Taylor fight holds more weight and gravitas than capturing all the belts at 126.
In the end, for Serrano, considering a fight against Taylor as secondary is head-scratching. She has a big-name opponent the public wants to see her face. To now put her on the back burner should be cause for pause.
When you factor in how their previous negotiations went down the tubes, it makes the post-fight comments even more disappointing. Here’s hoping there is a change of heart. Taylor is a super-fight that should happen sooner rather than later.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
