The Daily Star Ireland
Katie Taylor faced a storm of criticism even after securing her super-lightweight belts in another intense battle against Amanda Serrano in Texas. However, Taylor appeared unfazed during the post-fight press conference, which almost didn’t happen due to tensions over her promoter Eddie Hearn’s presence at the top table. Despite not being part of the event’s promotion, Hearn was officially accredited as part of Taylor’s team and celebrated her victory prominently, a move that seemed to irritate Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, the event’s organizers.
The fight was marked by controversy, with a clash of heads in the fourth round causing a significant cut above Serrano’s eye. Another clash in the eighth round led to a point deduction for Taylor. Addressing the incidents, Taylor described them as accidental, attributing them to the challenges of fighting a southpaw. She dismissed allegations of deliberate foul play, emphasizing that such occurrences are part of boxing.
Taylor reiterated her confidence in the result, pointing out that all three judges unanimously scored the fight in her favor. She remarked that she had now beaten Serrano twice and was indifferent to criticism from Serrano’s camp. While open to the possibility of a trilogy, Taylor did not commit to it during the press conference.
Serrano and her team, including trainer and brother-in-law Jordan Maldonado, accused Taylor of excessive use of her head, referencing similar allegations from past fights. Jake Paul, Serrano’s promoter and manager, echoed these sentiments during his debrief, accusing the referee of failing to protect Serrano adequately. Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bisharian expressed frustration, claiming that Taylor led with her head throughout the fight and that the referee’s intervention came too late. Bisharian also criticized the unanimous decision favoring Taylor, suggesting that the betting odds before the final round indicated Serrano’s dominance.
Despite the controversy, the fight was another thrilling chapter in the rivalry between Taylor and Serrano, further elevating women’s boxing. While it struggled to replicate the magic of their first bout at Madison Square Garden, the Texas rematch delivered a similarly electrifying atmosphere.
Taylor admitted to starting the fight cautiously but said she adjusted her strategy in the second half, engaging Serrano more directly and landing heavier blows. She credited this shift for securing her victory.
Hearn’s celebratory reaction also drew criticism from Bisharian, who noted that the event organizers had initially restricted promoter involvement in the ring. Ultimately, Taylor’s wish to have Hearn present was honored, but Bisharian expressed discomfort with how he conducted himself post-fight.
As the dust settles, both fighters will need time to recover from another grueling contest. While their futures remain uncertain, the legacy of their rivalry continues to shine as a testament to the evolution of women’s boxing.
