Tonight’s historic fight between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden carries the weight of names from the past and present.
Mia St. John, Lucia Rijker, Ann Wolfe, Christy Martin, Laila Ali, Cecilia Brækhus, Mikaela Mayer and Claressa Shields will all be present in the ring tonight.
While they won’t be present physically, their careers factor into the fight for they are boxing’s past, present and future.
They fought when no one was watching and doubters refused to give them the credit and accolades they deserved.
They fight to continue the struggle of those before them and garner the respect and financial rewards long denied to the names that preceded them.
Serrano and Taylor represent these fighters and all women boxers.
The ones who put the work in but were denied the rewards.
The ones who, like Serrano, had to switch to MMA to reap a true payday.
That’s a lot of weight for anyone to carry, but if any two fighters can, it’s Serrano and Taylor.
Katie Taylor, 35, hails from Ireland. She’s 20-0 and ranked #1 in the world.
She defended her title against Jennifer Han in front of 20,000 fans in Leeds, England last year and has successfully fought off all challengers, including Serrano’s sister, Cindy (2018 in Boston).
Amanda Serrano, 33, is the #2 ranked fighter in the world.
She’s 42-1-1 and is a Brooklyn Puerto Rican. That means she represents not only the borough at MSG tonight but also all of Puerto Rico.
That also means that Brooklyn and Puerto Rican pride will be on full display tonight at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
Serrano has also fought all challengers, never backing down from a challenge.
That includes competing in MMA between 2018 and 2020, where she was 2-0-1 in her three pro fights.
And this was while she was still boxing against fighters and champions like fellow Brooklynite Heather Hardy.
To Serrano, fighting in her hometown for the undisputed lightweight championship brings both added pressure and support. It’s something she recognizes and gladly accepts for she breathes and bleeds boxing.
“It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to headline Madison Square Garden and do so against one of the greatest boxers of all time in Katie Taylor,” said Serrano. “Since I was a young girl, my only boyfriend has been boxing. I have dedicated my life to him, and this event makes that commitment worth every minute. On April 30th I am going to make history for me, for my team, for my family, for Puerto Rico, for every Latina and Latino and for all women worldwide.”
Tonight’s event is one of the biggest fights in recent years.
More importantly, it’s the biggest fight in women’s boxing history and one of the most significant fights in the sport’s history.
It’s the first time two women fighters are headlining a combat sports event at Madison Square Garden and each fighter is guaranteed a purse of over $1 million each.
So after decades of sacrifice, Serrano, a champion in seven different weight classes, is ready to take what she’s earned.
“I’ve worked so hard,’ said Serrano to Front Office Sports. “My whole saying is, ‘Greatness requires sacrifice.’ I sacrificed all these years to be the best fighter that I can be. Now is the best time to be a female fighter, and I just want to open doors for young girls by continuing to make history, break records, and make noise like we’re doing with this big fight.”
By inspiring young girls, becoming one of the best in the world and pushing women’s boxing to finally receive the attention, accolades, respect and money it will garner tonight, Serrano has solidified a place in boxing history.
“I just want to be known as one of the girls who did it the best and continue to push for women’s boxing to be great,” said Serrano.
She is one of those girls and tonight it will be even more gratifying because she accomplished those feats at home.
