In a night that will be remembered as a landmark for women's boxing, Madison Square Garden once again played host to a historic event on July 11, 2025. The arena, often dubbed the "World's Most Famous Arena," was the stage for a series of all-women fights organized by Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), featuring 17 world titles up for grabs. The highlight of the night was the much-anticipated trilogy bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, a rivalry that has captivated boxing fans worldwide since it began three years ago at the same venue.
Leading up to the event, excitement was palpable. On July 9, 2025, over a dozen world champions, Olympians, and contenders gathered at the Theater at Madison Square Garden for the final press conference, hosted by Ariel Helwani. MVP Co-Founder Nakisa Bidarian announced a $250,000 performance of the night bonus, a prize that could be awarded to any fighter or fight on the card. The decision would be made by Bidarian, Jake Paul, and the legendary Laila Ali, with Ali holding the ultimate say in case of differing opinions. This announcement added an extra layer of motivation for the fighters, many of whom had already earned sizeable checks in their careers but now had a lucrative incentive to deliver standout performances.
Laila Ali, Muhammad Ali’s daughter and former women’s world heavyweight champion, was present as a Netflix analyst for the event. She praised the efforts behind the scenes, noting, "Netflix have really pulled out all the stops for the event and for boxing tonight. There are many world titles on the card as well. A great moment for boxing and women’s boxing, respect to the boxers and organizers." Ali also urged fans to tune in, emphasizing the significance of the Taylor vs. Serrano trilogy fight, stating, "These ladies are having a trilogy; they’re fighting for the third time. You don’t want to miss it." Her endorsement underscored the event’s importance in the sport's history.
The main event featured Katie Taylor defending her undisputed junior welterweight titles against Amanda Serrano, a fierce competitor who has held world titles in a Guinness World Record seven weight classes. Taylor, an Olympic gold medalist from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, entered the fight with a 24-1 record, while Serrano, originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, with a record of 47-3-1, was favored by odds-makers despite her previous losses to Taylor.
The trilogy fight was a tactical and measured affair, quite different from the action-packed battles that preceded it. Taylor utilized her superior ring generalship and counterpunching skills, while Serrano attempted to work smarter by keeping her distance and avoiding direct brawls. The bout was closely contested, with both fighters landing 70 punches each — a stark contrast to the combined 541 punches landed in their November 2024 rematch.
After 10 rounds, the judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-93, and 97-93 in favor of Taylor, who once again retained her titles and improved her head-to-head record against Serrano to 3-0. Taylor reflected on her performance, saying, "I thought I was boxing very, very smart, very well. She wasn't catching me with much tonight. It's always a very, very close contest between myself and Amanda. Sometimes it's hard to tell through each round, but I just thank God my hand was raised ..." Serrano, on the other hand, acknowledged her strategy but admitted it fell short: "I tried something different. It was all about working smarter not harder. I tried to keep my distance. Tried not to go in there and fight with her because apparently it didn't work the first two fights ... I guess it just wasn't enough." Taylor also hinted that this might be the final chapter in their saga, stating, "I don't know if I'll keep fighting, but I just don't want to fight Amanda Serrano again. She punches too hard."
The undercard was equally thrilling, featuring multiple title fights that showcased the depth and talent in women’s boxing. Alycia Baumgardner successfully defended her undisputed junior lightweight titles against Jennifer Miranda by unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93. Baumgardner improved to 16-1, demonstrating her resilience and skill in a hard-fought battle.
In the super middleweight division, Shadasia Green unified the WBO and IBF titles by defeating Savannah Marshall via split decision (96-93 for Marshall, 96-93 and 95-94 for Green). Green, fighting near her hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, improved to 16-1 with this significant victory over the former champion.
Ellie Scotney continued her undefeated streak by unifying the WBC junior featherweight title with her WBO and IBF belts, defeating Yamileth Mercado by unanimous decision (100-90, 98-92, 98-92). Scotney’s dominant performance was marked by precise body shots and excellent ring control, improving her record to 11-0. Mercado, who had not lost since 2021, suffered her first defeat in four years.
Other notable bouts included Cherneka Johnson’s TKO victory over Shuretta Metcalf in the ninth round for the bantamweight titles, Chantelle Cameron’s unanimous decision win against Jessica Camara, Ramla Ali’s unanimous decision triumph over Lila Furtado, and Tamm Thibeault’s fifth-round TKO of Mary Casamassa. These fights highlighted the event’s comprehensive showcase of female boxing talent across multiple weight classes.
The entire card was streamed live on Netflix, free for subscribers, marking the second major boxing event on the platform following Jake Paul’s bout against Mike Tyson in November 2024. The event began at 7 p.m. Central Time, with the main event ring walks scheduled for approximately 10 p.m. CT, drawing a global audience eager to witness history.
This night at Madison Square Garden not only reinforced the rising prominence of women’s boxing but also celebrated the sport’s evolution, from trailblazers like Laila Ali and Christy Martin to contemporary stars like Taylor and Serrano. The thrilling trilogy fight and the stacked undercard demonstrated the sport’s growing competitiveness and appeal, promising an exciting future for women in boxing.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd dispersed, the echoes of the evening’s battles lingered, reminding fans that they had witnessed a pivotal chapter in boxing history. With new champions crowned and records extended, the sport continues its upward trajectory, fueled by fierce rivalries, groundbreaking events, and the relentless spirit of its athletes.
