Amanda Serrano has added an undisputed championship to her decorated legacy. And the best may still lie ahead.
Serrano survived an all-out effort from Erika Cruz to win a side-by-side decision in an amusing brawl for all four 126-pound major titles Saturday night at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York.
She is the first Puerto Rican native to become an undisputed champion, which has been her goal for many years.
Next? A rematch with undisputed 135-pound champion Katie Taylor, who successfully defended her belt against Serrano with a split decision last April at MSG.
Amanda Serrano [@Serranosisters] and a bloody Erika Cruz exchanging punches until the last ring #SerranoCruz pic.twitter.com/SsO2JYQEUd
– RINGOFHIGHLIGHTS (@ringofhighlight) February 5, 2023
That match appeared to be in jeopardy for a while on Saturday.
Cruz, known for her punching prowess, unleashed her punch from the opening ring and fought Serrano with a near-equal score in the first half of the match even though she was lost. a deep cut in the hairline due to an accidental head bump in Round 3.
However, as blood continued to trickle down her face and she became fatigued, Serrano firmly controlled the fight with precise, difficult one-two as Cruz continued to charge forward.
“[Trainer] Jordan [Maldonado] kept shouting, ‘One two, one two. Back to basics,’” Serrano said. “My left has caught her pretty clearly. I just heard the corner.”
Indeed, Cruz displayed determination and rare resilience but it was Serrano who delivered the more obvious damage.
Therefore, the official score is not close. Two judges gave it a score of 98-92 while the third gave it a score of 97-93, making Serrano “undisputed” for the first time. Boxing Junkie also had the score 97-93 in favor of Serrano, seven thirds.
Serrano, a seven-weight champion, competes in the IBF, WBC and WBO title fights. She added Cruz’s WBA title on Saturday.
“I ended up doing it for my island,” says Serrano, who grew up in Brooklyn. “.. I love you so much.”
Cruz did not surprise Serrano with her admirable effort.
“Not at all,” she said. “She is the Mexican champion. I said that from the very beginning. I know she won’t let me take her belt. She works hard for this, I work hard for me. That’s what we expect, that’s what we train. We don’t expect anything less than that.”
The win was arguably the biggest bout that could happen in women’s boxing, the second meeting with the undefeated Taylor.
Eddie Hearn, a promoter for both boxers, said after the bout – the first time the two undisputed champions will face each other – is set for May 20 in Ireland, Taylor’s hometown. Taylor (22-0.6 KO) was a hero in her hometown but never fought there.
“Katie is a true champion,” said Serrano. “She went to New York. … Now she deserves to fight in Ireland. It will be a bigger and better fight there.”
If they give Irish fans half the excitement Serrano and Cruz brought on Saturday, they’ll be well worth the money.
