Katie Taylor’s big rematch with Puerto Rican ace Amanda Serrano at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 15 is set for a new weight and not in the 140-pound limit super lightweight division whose undisputed crown the Bray native was originally scheduled to defend.
The two now clash at a catchweight 138 pounds, in the co-main event to the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. According to the sports streaming service DAZN, when the rematch was made official, it was expected that Taylor's undisputed super lightweight title would be on the line. But in an interview with the Irish Mirror, Taylor revealed that her and Serrano would square off two pounds below the 140 super lightweight limit.
"The fight has actually been made at 138, it's a catchweight, but I think if you look at myself and Serrano we're the same size," said the once-beaten Taylor [23-1, 6 KOs].
"I could make 126lbs as well if I tried. I don't think [Serrano] has looked too well at that weight for the last few fights. She looks drained for making that weight so I don't know if it's any advantage or not, but I certainly feel good at this weight, I feel strong at this weight," she added.
Their first meeting at Madison Square Garden in April 2022 ended in a split points decision for Taylor with the undisputed world lightweight title at stake. That was only Serrano’s second defeat in a 47-2-1 [31 KO] career that has seen her win nine major world titles across seven weight divisions.
Since that barnburner of a scrap at the Garden two and a half years ago, Taylor, who’s 38, has fought three times – including twice against Chantelle Cameron. Taylor failed in her bid to unify the super lightweight titles in her first encounter with Cameron at Dublin’s 3Arena in May 2023, but dethroned the British brawler six months later.
For her part, since losing to Taylor, the 36-year-old Serrano has put together a five-fight winning streak, with her latest success being a second round stoppage win against Stevie Morgan last July.
Taylor, meanwhile, is parrying notions that a second professional defeat would send her into retirement.
"I'm not going to end my career on a loss, first of all," she told BBC Sport NI. "I don't ever think about losing. I'm stepping into the ring and I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. I take it fight by fight at this stage.”
CONOR WALLACE
Newry-born light heavyweight Connor Wallace, whose star continues to shine Down Under, has signed with Eddie Hearns’ Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with Goldstar Promotions and Tasman Fighters.
Considered one of the most exciting 175-pounders on the planet, the Australian-based southpaw [14-1, 10 KOs] is ranked #2 in the world by the IBF, #5 by the WBO, and #6 by the WBC.
Wallace meets undefeated South African Asemahle “The Predator” Wellem [7-0-1, 3 KOs] on Dec. 11 at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Irishman has won on all five previous visits there via stoppages. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN.
"I'm looking forward to some huge nights ahead with Matchroom, Tasman Fighters and Goldstar – and I'm fully focused on the job at hand on Dec. 11,” said Wallace. “I'm very excited. I've dreamt about being a world champion since I was a young boy. That is my ultimate goal.”
Hearn, Matchroom Sport chairman, said: “This is a fantastic signing for us – and one we are thrilled to be working alongside Mick Francis at Tasman Fighters and Spencer Brown at Goldstar. There is no denying Conor’s ability and certainly it is going to be hard to stop him. I can see an incredibly bright future for him in the ring and there are many big fights ahead in a division that promises to deliver more fireworks in 2025.”
A six-time Irish amateur champion, Wallace joined the paid ranks in September 2018 and has campaigned in Australia since then.
