The long-awaited third chapter of the legendary rivalry between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano was streamed live on Netflix from Madison Square Garden, and it did not disappoint.
As the co-main event on the all-women’s card, the fight quickly became one of Netflix’s most high-profile live sporting events. The two fighters, who have already faced off twice before, were looking to end the controversy surrounding their rivalry and settle things once and for all.
The Rivalry Leading Up to the Final Fight
The Taylor-Serrano rivalry has been filled with tension and controversy, particularly due to questionable scoring decisions and in-ring incidents that have sparked debates.
Despite Katie Taylor winning both of their previous encounters, Amanda Serrano was the betting favorite going into the final fight of their trilogy. This only added to the uncertainty and excitement surrounding the match.
In the lead-up to this historic bout, many fans and analysts were split on who would come out on top. Both fighters had already proven themselves to be elite, but this was meant to be the definitive conclusion to their saga. After 10 rounds of intense action, the result was clear: Katie Taylor was declared the winner.
How Katie Taylor Won the Fight
The fight started off slowly, with both fighters feeling each other out in the first round. The two showed a much more cautious approach than in their previous encounters, with only three punches landed in the opening round.
Amanda Serrano tried to establish herself early as the aggressor with her jab, but she was very deliberate about keeping her distance, likely in an effort to avoid any headbutts from Taylor, a common issue in their earlier battles.
By Rounds 3 through 5, the pace began to pick up, with both fighters exchanging flurries of punches at various points. By the end of Round 5, Serrano had gained the lead on the unofficial scorecard, though neither fighter had gained a clear advantage over the other.
Round 6 saw a return to the fast-paced action that characterized their previous fights. Serrano landed some powerful shots, while Taylor, as usual, landed more total punches. Despite Serrano’s heavier hits, Taylor’s ability to land more often kept her competitive in the bout.
The Judges’ Decision
After nine rounds, it seemed like the momentum was shifting in Taylor’s favor, as her strategy of staying patient and countering Serrano’s aggressive style had begun to pay off. By the final round, both fighters knew the scorecards were close, and they gave it everything they had to finish strong. However, despite their best efforts, neither fighter had a significant moment to swing the bout decisively.
The judges scored the fight as follows: one judge scored it a draw, while the other two judges had Taylor ahead by two points each, giving her a majority decision victory.
This result was enough to secure Taylor the unified light welterweight title, but the close nature of the contest—highlighted by the tied scorecard—showed just how evenly matched the fighters were.
The End of the Rivalry
After the fight, Amanda Serrano expressed that she was “working smarter, not harder,” noting that her team believed she had won. However, she also acknowledged the respect and admiration she has for Taylor and the significant contribution both fighters have made to the world of women’s boxing. While the result was controversial, it was clear that both fighters played an important role in putting women’s boxing on the map.
With this victory, Katie Taylor technically won all three bouts against Amanda Serrano, and both fighters have indicated that this will be the last time they face off.
There is little likelihood of a fourth fight, as trilogies typically happen for reasons such as a personal rivalry, a tiebreaker scenario, or championship implications. With Taylor securing the win, the rivalry seems to have reached its natural conclusion.
