On Friday night, July 11, 2025, Madison Square Garden in New York City played host to one of the most anticipated events in women's boxing history: the third and final showdown between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. This epic trilogy fight, with Taylor's undisputed junior welterweight championship on the line, headlined an all-women's card that showcased the incredible depth and talent in the sport today.
Katie Taylor, the 39-year-old Irish boxing icon, entered the ring with a record of 24-1, including six knockouts, determined to solidify her legacy as one of the greatest female boxers of all time. Amanda Serrano, the 36-year-old powerhouse from Puerto Rico, boasting an impressive 47-3-1 record with 31 knockouts, was hungry for redemption after two razor-thin decision losses to Taylor in their previous bouts.
The rivalry between Taylor and Serrano is widely regarded as one of the greatest in women's boxing history. Their first encounter in April 2022 ended in a split decision victory for Taylor, a close fight that left fans debating the outcome. Their November 2024 rematch, held on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, saw Taylor win by unanimous decision. However, that bout was marred by controversy, as Taylor's repeated headbutts caused a severe cut over Serrano's right eye, requiring eight stitches and resulting in a point deduction for Taylor. Despite landing a CompuBox record 324 punches—the most in a 10-round women's fight—Serrano came up short on the judges' scorecards, leading to boos from the crowd.
Heading into the trilogy fight, the odds slightly favored Serrano, with ESPN BET listing her at -175, reflecting the widespread belief that she had done enough in their previous fights to claim victory. Serrano herself was confident, stating at the final press conference, "I'm going to use my head—but not the way it was used on me. We're just going to be smarter. We're going to be smarter, work smarter. I did work a lot smarter for this fight and I believe that we can come out victorious. We will come out victorious." Taylor, embracing the challenge, said, "I'm taking the fight again because I love the challenge of this. I want to take the best fights. It doesn't really matter to me, I just want to take the biggest challenges, the biggest fights in women's boxing and after the last fight, this was still the biggest fight in women's boxing. So that's why I'm taking it. Why not take the challenge again? I believe that I can beat [Amanda] again. That's why I have taken the fight again." The fight was contested under standard women's boxing rules—ten two-minute rounds.
The main card began at 8 p.m. ET and was streamed worldwide on Netflix, giving fans unprecedented access to a historic night of boxing. Preliminary bouts started earlier at 5 p.m. ET and were available on Most Valuable Promotions' YouTube page and Tudum.
Besides the Taylor-Serrano trilogy, the card featured four more world title fights that further highlighted the growing prominence of women's boxing. Ellie Scotney, a 27-year-old British boxer with an undefeated 11-0 record, unified the junior featherweight titles by defeating Yamileth Mercado of Mexico (24-4) via unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 100-90, 98-92, and 98-92, showcasing Scotney's precision and power throughout.
Alycia Baumgardner, the 31-year-old Dallas native with a 16-1 record, successfully defended her undisputed junior lightweight titles against Jennifer Miranda, a 39-year-old from Spain. Their intense battle saw Baumgardner emerge victorious by unanimous decision (98-92, 98-92, 97-93), despite Miranda's relentless pressure and resilience.
In the super middleweight division, Shadasia Green (16-1), a 35-year-old from New Jersey, upset Savannah Marshall (13-2), the 34-year-old British star known for being the only boxer to defeat Claressa Shields. Green won by split decision (95-94, 93-96, 96-93) to claim the unified super middleweight world title. The fight was a hard-fought slugfest, with Green demonstrating superior power and accuracy.
Australian Cherneka Johnson (18-2) made history by becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion after a ninth-round TKO over 40-year-old Shurretta Metcalf of Dallas. The referee halted the bout due to Metcalf taking excessive punishment, marking a significant milestone in Johnson's career.
Other notable bouts included Chantelle Cameron's (21-1) dominant unanimous decision victory over Jessica Camara (14-5) in a super lightweight fight, Ramla Ali's (10-2) unanimous decision win against Lila Furtado (11-3) in the super bantamweight division, and Tamm Thibeault's (3-0) fifth-round TKO over Mary Casamassa (6-2) in the middleweight category.
The trilogy fight between Taylor and Serrano was a tactical chess match, with both fighters circling cautiously in the early rounds. Serrano stalked forward, looking to capitalize on her power and youth advantage, while Taylor relied on her speed, footwork, and technical prowess. The fight featured moments of intense action, with Taylor landing sharp combinations and Serrano retaliating with heavy punches. The crowd at Madison Square Garden, a sellout, was electric, soaking in every exchange.
Despite the fierce competition, the fight remained respectful, with Serrano notably avoiding the head clashes that had marred their previous encounter. Both fighters demonstrated immense heart and determination, embodying the spirit of women's boxing and elevating the sport's profile globally.
Legendary former champion Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, expressed her admiration for the event during the Netflix livestream, stating, "My own father, when I told him I wanted to box, told me, 'Don't box. It's not for you. I don't want to see you do it. It's not for women.' And I had to tell the 'Greatest of all Time,' 'I'm going to do it and I'm going to show you.' And then he came to me right when I was fighting for a world title and said, 'I'm proud. I was wrong. You can fight. Women can fight.' I was able to change his mind. They can change the minds of others as well. So this is the platform they need." Ali retired undefeated in 2007 with a 24-0 record and 21 knockouts, underscoring the significance of this night for women's boxing.
The event was not without controversy, as is often the case in boxing. Fans and analysts debated the judges' scorecards and the close nature of the fights, particularly between Taylor and Serrano. However, the overwhelming sentiment was one of respect and admiration for the athletes' skill, resilience, and the historic platform they provided for women's sports.
With this thrilling trilogy now concluded, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have cemented their legacy as two of the greatest female boxers ever. Their battles have not only entertained millions but have also advanced the recognition and respect for women's boxing worldwide. As the sport continues to grow, fighters like Taylor, Serrano, and their contemporaries are paving the way for future generations to step into the ring and shine on the global stage.
