Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano tension explained with duo to fight before Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
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While Mike Tyson's boxing fight with Jake Paul is tonight's main event, Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano has the makings of a classic.
The duo will resume their rivalry in Texas this evening, two years after the Irish fighter won at Madison Square Guardan back in 2022.
A rematch had been expected to take place last year. However, that didn't happen with Serrano suffering an injury against Erika Cruz.
The wait for a second duel is nearly over, however. GB News will now take a look at what happened in their first fight - and why fireworks are expected this evening.
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are set to feature on the undercard of Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul
REUTERS
First fight recap
Taylor and Serrano entered their historic clash as two of boxing's most accomplished fighters.
Taylor's journey to the ring began after switching from women's football, where she had represented the Republic of Ireland.
Her amateur career peaked with gold at the London 2012 Olympics before turning professional.
Serrano's path to greatness had already been well established by then, having claimed world championships across four divisions.
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Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will fight in Texas tonight
REUTERS
The Puerto Rican would go on to expand her legacy even further, becoming a seven-weight world champion.
Both fighters continued to build their impressive records, with Taylor reaching 20-0 and Serrano amassing a formidable 42-1-1 record.
The historic meeting between Taylor and Serrano faced several delays before finally materialising.
An initial bout was scheduled for May 2020 at Manchester Arena but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano produced a classic in their first fight back in 2022
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In January 2022, a landmark announcement confirmed the pair would become the first female boxers to headline Madison Square Garden.
The April 30 date generated significant anticipation, though some questioned whether the event could match its considerable hype.
Taylor's perfect 20-0 record would face its sternest test against Serrano's impressive 42-1-1 status.
The fight lived up to expectations, delivering an instant classic at Madison Square Garden.
Serrano started aggressively, while Taylor relied on her speed to launch counter-attacks.
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The fifth round proved pivotal as Taylor absorbed a powerful blow from Serrano and, despite the heavy hit, the Irish fighter remarkably stayed on her feet.
The 38-year-old then mounted an impressive comeback in the final three rounds, bloodying her opponent.
The contest concluded with Taylor securing a split decision victory.
A rematch was immediately discussed but faced delays when Serrano suffered an injury during a featherweight bout against Erika Cruz in May 2023.
The pair are now set to meet again on the undercard of Paul's stadium fight with Tyson.
So, why the tension?
Serrano felt she'd done enough to win the first fight and was left furious by her defeat. But Taylor has always insisted that her triumph was 'fully deserved'.
Their first bout also came after Serrano accused her rival of running scared.
Their conflict means there's plenty of bad blood between the pair. How much of it spills in the ring remains to be seen.
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