Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live the main-event and undercard action live from Madison Square Garden
Katie Taylor retained her undisputed lightweight title with a split-decision win against Amanda Serrano on Saturday night, edging a thrilling contest at Madison Square Garden. The pair were the first female fighters to headline at the iconic New York City venue, and their title fight in front of a sold-out crowd lived up to the billing of being the biggest bout in the history of women’s boxing.
Taylor started as the sharper fighter amid a raucous atmosphere, managing her range well and catching her Puerto Rican opponent with several well-timed counter left hooks. Serrano maintained her gameplan of walking down Taylor, however, and in the second round the unified featherweight champion began to find homes for stinging left straights from her southpaw stance. The most dramatic frame of the fight was the fifth, with the women wildly trading punches in the corner as Serrano’s shots began to take greater effect. The 33-year-old and Taylor moved into the centre of the ring, where Serrano’s power and variety of punches had the defending champion in trouble – almost out on her feet.
Neither woman had ever been knocked down ahead of this bout, however, and Taylor was able to draw on reserves of resilience to make it through the round and even win the final few at least. The result was left to the judges, who scored the fight 96-94 to Serrano, 97-93 to Taylor, and 96-93 to Taylor. As such, Taylor remained unbeaten and retained her undisputed lightweight title as the Madison Square Garden crowd erupted with noise.
Re-live updates from Taylor vs Serrano and the undercard, below.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 10
Taylor with more good hooks! Serrano with fine uppercuts in the clinch.
Serrano is cut over the right eye but is smiling...
The fight ends with a brawl in the middle of the ring! Taylor’s leg buckles but she’s still standing!
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards...
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 9
More of the same from Taylor! Could she do enough here to secure a draw or even win it late on?
Her right hand is starting to cause Serrano trouble. The Puerto Rican cannot afford to just coast here.
One more round!
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 8
Taylor seems to have found a second wind! She springs back into life in this round.
Good counter left hooks again, and she’s throwing more combinations – quickly, too.
Strong body work from Serrano still, however.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 7
A less eventful round. Taylor lands a couple of decent counter hooks off both wings, but she’s not using her jab enough.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 6
Taylor is bloodied badly around her nose. She’s taking a lot of punishment and not defending herself very well.
She fights back in spurts, but she’s throwing harder than she needs to.
Serrano firmly in control now.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 5
What. A. Round. They’re fighting in the corner but may as well be in a phone booth.
Taylor is looking to land counter shots, but Serrano’s power begins to take an effect!
They move into space and Serrano mixes it up between the body and the head – uppercuts and hooks up top!
Taylor is in serious trouble! How has she made it to the end of the round?!
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 4
Taylor is throwing in combinations; Serrano is favouring single punches.
Serrano is still pressing forward throughout.
Taylor appears to be cut over her left eye, and she seems to be winded from a body shot.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 3
The straight left is still landing pretty frequently for Serrano. When it comes to her wider shots, she’s having less success; Taylor is gauging range well in those situations.
Taylor’s counter left is still proving fairly effective, too.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 2
The women clinch early and are soon separated.
Again Serrano is following Taylor, who skips laterally around the ring.
A sharp one-two from the champion! That’s the best moment for Taylor so far.
Serrano responds well with a few stinging left straights, though!
Serrano might have taken that round late on...
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Round 1
Both women light on their feet.
Serrano comes forward early. Taylor is managing the distance really well, though, just staying out of range of the challenger’s shots.
Taylor catches southpaw Serrano with a number of good counter left hooks.
A promising start for the champion.
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