KATIE TAYLOR has beaten Amanda Serrano by a contested split-decision victory at Madison Square Garden.
The thrilling fight was the biggest women’s boxing bout in history as the undisputed lightweight clash headlined the iconic New York arena.
Taylor was ROCKED in the fifth round, but fought back in stunning fashion to recover in the latter rounds.
And in even better news, both have already agreed to a rematch in Taylor’s native Ireland.
Taylor wants Ireland match
Taylor is hoping for a rematch with Serrano in Ireland after selling out Madison Square Garden.
She said: “A rematch would be absolutely phenomenal, and if it was in Dublin we could sell-out Croke Park I’d say, 90,000 people.
“That would be unbelievable. We’ve seen something special here tonight.
“Imagine fighting in front of 80,000 or 90,000 people in Croke Park. Absolutely that can happen.”
Serrano praises Taylor
Serrano has praised Taylor after the Irish woman defeated her last night.
Serrano said: “Katie is a great champion.
“She’s undefeated and undisputed, I’m truly honoured to share the ring.
“Women can sell, women can fight and women can put on a hell of a show.”
Hearn wants Taylor/Serrano rematch
Eddie Hearn wants Taylor and Serrano to have a rematch in Ireland.
Hearn said after Taylor’s win: “I think we should run this rematch back in Ireland, let Katie Taylor fight in Croke Park.
“It would be a shame if she was to finish her career without getting the chance to fight in Ireland.”
McGregor and Jake Paul spat
Conor McGregor and Jake Paul were embroiled in a Twitter spat after Taylor’s win over Serrano.
In the heat of the row, Paul raged to his rival: “I’m the one who has done more for fighters than you ever have.
“The one who has won five fights in the past two years while you have lost five.
“The one who isn’t owned by Dana White.
“The one who made the fight you just watched happen.
“The one who got your hero Katie Taylor paid, that’s who.”
Better than Olympic gold
Katie Taylor declared her win against Amanda Serrano tops her Olympic gold medal victory.
She said after the fight: “It was a special, special moment, the best night of my career.
“I was not sure if anything could reach my Olympic gold medal moment, but tonight was absolutely the best moment of my career.”
Taylor retains her titles
Katie Taylor poses with her complete lightweight titles after the thrilling victory over Amanda Serrano by split-decision.
It was the biggest women’s boxing fight in history, selling out New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
And, if the promoters and the fighters are to be believed, we could see it all again in a rematch later this year.
Ryan Garcia agrees with the judges
It was a close contest, but unbeaten sensation Ryan Garcia agrees that the judges were right in giving the fight to Ireland star Katie Taylor.
Huge respect
Katie Taylor was full of praise for “wonderful person” Amanda Serrano after 10 brutal rounds in a fight of the year contender.
Huge respect between the fighters at the end.
Serrano said: “Women can sell, women can fight. We put on a hell of a show.”
Liam Smith hailed by Amir Khan
While the main event was a thriller with plaudits going to both fighters, on the undercard British star Liam Smith looked sensational in stopping Jessie Vargas.
Fellow former British world champion Amir Khan has hailed Smith.
Dublin decider?
A rematch has already been spoken about by both fighters and their promoters.
Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn wants to do it in Dublin.
Croke Park special.
How the judges scored it
Katie Taylor won via a close split-decision, after two judges scored it in her favour with one giving it to Amanda Serrano.
They scored it: 96-94 – Serrano, 97-93 – Taylor, 96-93 – Taylor.
Incredibly close.
Jake Paul tweets
Amanda Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul has tweeted what he thought of the fight in one word.
Paul and Hearn want rematch
Both Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn have both spoken about a rematch after that classic.
Paul promotes Amanda Serrano, while Hearn promotes Katie Taylor.
Paul said: “It was a draw at best.
“But kudos to Katie Taylor and kudos to Amanda Serrano.
“Let’s run it back later this year.
“The rematch is even bigger now.”
Taylor celebrations
Jubilant scenes inside the ring at Madison Square Garden as Taylor celebrates.
What a comeback after that brutal fifth round.
Rematch in Ireland?
Eddie Hearn says the rematch has to happen..in Ireland.
And Paul agrees, saying: “Let’s run it back in Ireland.”
Croke Park mooted for it.
Jake Paul speaks on the fight
Amanda Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul said: “It was a draw at best.
“But kudos to Katie Taylor and kudos to Amanda Serrano.
“Let’s run it back later this year.
“The rematch is even bigger now.”
Rematch agreed
And both fighters have agreed to have a rematch live in the ring!
Sensational fight.
Let’s do it again next year?
Taylor speaks
Katie Taylor has been full of praise for “wonderful person” Amanda Serrano.
Huge respect between the pair at the end.
Serrano said: “Women can sell, women can fight, We put on a hell of a show.”
Taylor wins! Taylor wins!
The judges scorecards are in… and Katie Taylor has WON the biggest women’s boxing fight in history by a split-decision!
They scored it: 96-94 – Serrano, 97-93 – Taylor, 96-93 – Taylor.
Let’s run it back!
Round 10 – Taylor vs Serrano
Serrano is CUT in the final round as both fighters absolutely throw bombs.
The last minute of the fight has been just relentless punches from both sides.
Another good round for Taylor though but she’s rocked right at the end. This is going to be very close as we go the judges decision…
Round 9 – Taylor vs Serrano
Another great round for Taylor! What incredible heart she is showing.
She has found her second wind.
It is so close. How are the judges seeing this?
Taylor needs another big round we head into the FINAL round…
Round 8 – Taylor vs Serrano
An improved round for Taylor in the eighth.
Is Serrano tiring?
Somehow Taylor has found her legs again at Madison Square Garden!
Round 7 – Taylor vs Serrano
The power punches continue to come from Serrano.
They may have quite equal punch stats but the hurtful blows have come from the challenger.
Taylor is falling well behind in this.
Round 6 – Taylor vs Serrano
Incredible scenes here. Taylor is very clearly rocked from that fifth-round onslaught in the previous round but the champ is still throwing punches.
What a fight! And we head into the final three rounds of nothing short of a classic.
Round 5 – Taylor vs Serrano
Sensational start to the round. They could be fighting in a phonebox here!
Taylor is HURT! Serrano has stiffened the legs of Taylor! The Irish star holds on…just.
HUGE round for Serrano in the fifth. She lands 44, yes 44, punches there.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
