In what will be the biggest fight in women’s history, Katie Taylor (20-0) will put her unbeaten record on the line as well as her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles to face Amanda Serrano (42-1-1).
Taking place at Madison Square Garden, the arena has seen the biggest of fights, names like Muhummad Ali, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Jake LaMotta, and now, two women will find themselves in that category.
Thousands of fans cheering. Irish and Puerto Rican flags flying. A buzz in the air, a fight Taylor and Serrano both wanted on the biggest stage. They have talked about wanting to be involved in the biggest fights, facing the best opponents, and now that moment is nearly here.
"I pinch myself like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to be walking out here and headlining this show on April 30,'" Taylor said. "I can definitely see it: The atmosphere is going to be incredible, passionate Puerto Rican fans, passionate Irish fans. It's going to be such a special occasion and I don't think we'll see this for a very long time."
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the last time the Nos. 1 and 2 on a pound-for-pound list fought was in 2008, when Manny Pacquiao (No. 1) beat Juan Manuel Marquez (No. 2) by split decision. They finished the year in the top two spots in Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound list because Floyd Mayweather retired.
A matchup years in the making, with multiple contracts signed, an interruption because of a pandemic, the involvement of a social media superstar creating escalating value leading to both Taylor and Serrano earning seven-figure paydays.
And it's a fight, depending on when you asked Taylor, Serrano or their teams, they thought would never happen.
On the upcoming match, Serrano commented on her hometown advantage. “I just got to stick to the gameplan and listen to my corner, and make sure that I go out there, do and be Amanda Serrano. And that’s how I secure the victory. Katie, she’s Katie Taylor, but you know, styles make fights, she might come a different way when she gets punched in the face fighting me.”
Beyond a victory, beyond becoming the first Puerto Rican unified champion regardless of gender, Serrano hopes that viewers come away from the contest knowing one thing:
“That women can fight. That we can sell tickets – the Garden’s almost sold out. I mean, it’s incredible to see that. And that was definitely my goal for the newer generation of females in the sport. I never thought that I would be able to see this, but I’m seeing it, and I just hope this is not the end.”