Women’s boxing’s fiercest rivalry continues on July 11 with a historic trilogy fight at Madison Square Garden between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the Bray starlet’s undisputed world super lightweight championship.
The two return to the hallowed Garden, site of their first epic encounter in April 2022. Before a 19,500-capacity crowd, Taylor beat Serrano, a seven-division world champion, on a split points decision to retain her IBF, WBC and WBO lightweight titles.
It was the first women’s fight to headline at the Mecca of boxing in its then 140-year history and was hailed Fight of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
Last November, Taylor [24-1, 6 KOs] and the southpaw Serrano [47-3-1, 31 KOs] produced another thriller in their long awaited rematch. Taylor triumphed again – on a disputed 10-round unanimous decision this time despite being docked a point in the eighth stanza. The fight was watched by more than 70 million viewers globally on Netflix, and 72,300 fans at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Taylor-Serrano III is presented by Most Valuable Promotions [MVP] and Netflix and makes history again by topping the first all-female card at the Garden. It will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix at no additional cost to its 300+ million subscribers.
Katie Taylor lands a punch on Amanda Serrano during their Nov. 15 fight at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. [Inpho/Ed Mulholland]
“I want to thank everyone at Matchroom, MVP and Netflix for getting the trilogy over the line and I can't wait to headline at MSG again in July,” said Taylor, who’s 38. “I’m 2-0 against Amanda but it's obviously a very special rivalry that delivers every time we step in the ring so I think it's only right that we have the trilogy.
“The atmosphere for the first fight there was amazing and I'm sure it won't be any different this time around. The numbers that got to see the last fight in November were incredible so hopefully those people will all want to tune in for the trilogy fight as well and we can deliver another great fight.”
Taylor first won the undisputed lightweight title at Madison Square Garden against Belgian Delfine Persoon in 2019. She became a two-weight undisputed champion in November 2023, overcoming Chantelle Cameron in a rematch of their first closely fought battle in April 2023, in Dublin, Ireland.
Taylor won her first world title in her seventh pro fight, claiming the vacant WBA lightweight belt in Cardiff against Anahi Sanchez in October 2017. She has been in 18 straight world title contests since then.
Serrano, aka “The Real Deal,” is the first Puerto Rican undisputed world champion and the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history. She is recognized by the Guinness World Records for the most boxing world championships won by a female in different weight classes. She was named the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Female Fighter of the Year for 2023, as well as Sports Illustrated’s and Boxing Scene’s 2023 Women’s Fighter of the Year.
“I promised my fans they would see this trilogy, and I’m incredibly grateful that we get to complete our journey where it all began — at Madison Square Garden, live on Netflix for the world to see,” said Serrano.
She added: “I’m disappointed that Katie Taylor did not keep her word and make the trilogy 12 three-minute rounds, equal to the men. This is a record-setting payday for both of us, and we owed it to the fans to honor the handshake deal we made. She didn’t. But make no mistake, every time we share the ring, it is war, and I know Friday, July 11, will be the greatest yet because I will finally get the official ‘W’ I deserve.
“Headlining an all-female card at MSG, representing both New York and Puerto Rico, is something I never thought would be possible, and it wouldn’t be without Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and MVP’s commitment to elevating women’s boxing. I’m proud to stand alongside all the talented women on this card, and I hope our fight inspires young girls everywhere to keep believing in themselves and never stop chasing their dreams.”
“This is more than just a fight — it’s a celebration of the unmatched talent of women in boxing,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, MVP’s co-founders, in a statement. “Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have already shattered barriers and inspired millions, and this trilogy fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden will be another historic step forward for women’s sports.
“This all-women’s card is not only a testament to how far the sport has come but also the beginning of an even greater push from MVP to elevate the next generation of female fighters. Unlike other incumbents in boxing, we have, are, and will always champion women as equals to men, treating them with supreme respect and we will never compromise on those values.
"Thank you to Netflix and MSG. We’re honored to bring this groundbreaking event to life and remain steadfast in our mission to build and invest in lasting opportunities for women in boxing.”
"Taylor-Serrano II was not just one of the most thrilling fights I've ever witnessed; it also made history as the most-watched professional women's sports event in the US," said Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer. "At Netflix we're proud to continue to elevate the profile of women athletes and to bring another historic event to our global audience with MVP."
For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @Netflix, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @Netflix, or on Netflix’s Tudum.
