KATIE TAYLOR was branded a “CHEAT” before a bloodied Amanda Serrano levelled her own accusations in Texas.
Taylor controversially retained her undisputed light-welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard.
All three judges scored the fight 95-94 for Taylor – despite the Pride of Ireland suffering a point deduction.
The crowd at the AT&T Stadium in Texas booed at the result, with Serrano having suffered a gruesome cut at the end of the fourth round, which turned the fight.
A clash of heads again in round six split that cut open further and the referee called the ringside doctor to check it out, as blood poured down the Puerto Rican’s face.
Taylor, 38, honed in on the cut, grinding against it in the clinch and targeting left hooks in virtually every combination.
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Serrano’s corner branded Taylor a “cheat” during the contest as the champion kept pressing.
Not long after, Taylor was docked a point for incessantly butting with Serrano’s left eye.
And Serrano, 36, herself suggested Taylor had done the same against Chantelle Cameron.
The South American star said: “I knew the judges would be shady, I went up three divisions and dared to be great.
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“She headbutts in every fight, she does it in other fights. I am a champion, I am happy and super-grateful to be here.”
Serrano landed an incredible 324 punches – compared to her opponent’s 217.
At an average of 33 per round, CompuBox said it was the most by a female fighter since records began.
And many thought her victory was sealed when Taylor was deducted a point for seemingly headbutting a bloodied Serrano’s cut above her eye.
Serrano later tweeted from her changing room: “To my fans I’m going to always give it everything I have.
“I’m a ruthless warrior and Katie is my buddy but Damn her best attribute is her head.
“No punching power but hard head.”
Serrano battled through to make it to the final bell, but the judges felt Taylor was still the better woman.
During the fight, Netflix commentator said the controversy around her win will “be an asterisk on Katie Taylor’s legacy”.
On the controversy, Taylor said: “She’s a tough warrior and a big puncher, I don’t care if people disagree with the result, it’s only the judges who matter.
“I didn’t agree with the point deduction, sometimes it just gets rough in there.”
It was a rematch of their historic Madison Square Garden bust-up in 2022, which saw the Bray bruiser win via a split decision.
Elsewhere, it was a night full of boos as fans were left utterly disappointed with Jake Paul’s unanimous victory over Mike Tyson.
Paul dominated his 58-year-old opponent with very few punches landed in an extremely underwhelming Netflix affair.
Iron Mike was lumbering around the ring, could barely keep his gumshield in and had nothing to offer as he looked completely shattered.
Just four punches were landed between them in the fifth round
The 27-year-old came to the ring first amid a chorus of jeers, driven in a customised green Chevvy car alongside his brother Logan, with a pigeon in a cage, as In The Air Tonight played over the speakers.
Meanwhile, the chaos continued after the main event as Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn was refused entry into the press room.
Hearn is feuding with Paul as the pair are locked in a $100million lawsuit and will go head to head in front of a US judge next week.
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The Matchroom chief sued the Problem Child over comments about boxing judge Glenn Feldman.
But Hearn finally made his way in after threatening that Taylor wouldn’t be in the press conference either.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson round-by-round
MIKE TYSON’s long-awaited return to the ring didn’t have the fairytale ending fight fans dreamed of.
SunSport’s boxing expert Wally Downes Jr recaps one of the drabbest and most forgettable nights in boxing history.
And he didn’t hold back, issuing a scathing assessment of social media sensation Jake Paul.
Round One
Paul says “I love you, Mike” just before the opening bell sounds. He quickly runs away and holds the boxing legend.
Tyson draws a big reaction from the crowd as he lands a jab and a good right hand.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Two
Paul ran away in the opener and held – just like we thought he would.
Tommy Fury had it first and now Mike Tyson. It’s clever because Tyson will tire. Paul tags Tyson’s body with a straight right.
Tyson looks spent now. 180 seconds in and the fight looks over.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Three
The legend cannot even keep his gumshield in. As expected it’s a waste of time. Paul has run away until the 58-year-old has tired.
Shooting ducks in a barrel now. Tyson might get hurt here. Paul lands a couple of clumsy shots and Tyson wobbles backwards.
Tragic after three.
Verdict: 10-9 Paul
Round Four
This is proper rubbish. The crowd are bored and boos are being heard.
This is just two tired big lumps going at it. One a legend, one a promoter.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Five
Paul jabs the body and aims right for the head and another one-two clips the icon.
Tyson cannot keep his mouthpiece in, he is gasping for air. Paul lands a left hook but then so does Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Six
Thank God these weren’t three-minute rounds. We are getting about four punches per round.
Tyson is gasping in the air but replays show a left hook did graze Paul’s beard.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Seven
Tyson slips a jab and tries an uppercut. The commentator admits it has been a “sad” spectacle.
The AT&T stadium has been utterly stunk out. Paul is looking just as tired as Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Eight
Go back to YouTube, Jake. You’re an excellent conman. But you’ve never been a boxer.
The Judges decide: 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73. I’m glad Tyson gets paid and has stayed safe.
But what a laughable performance from Paul to add to his stinker with Tommy Fury.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
SunSport’s final scorecard – 78-74 for Jake Paul
Click to read the full round-by-round breakdown.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
