The current renaissance in women’s boxing has seen the rise of prominent figures, including some of the most skilled and marketable female boxers in history. On Friday night, Irish sports icon and reigning junior-weight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) will face off against Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs), boxing’s only nine-division champion, in their final and much-anticipated third match. This showdown at Madison Square Garden, New York’s historic venue, will headline an all-women’s boxing card broadcast live on Netflix at 8 PM, promising excitement on par with their previous encounters.
Matchroom Sports promoter Eddie Hearn praised the rivalry, calling both fighters all-time greats who push each other to deliver classic bouts. Although their initial fight scheduled for May 2020 was delayed due to COVID and Serrano withdrew over a pay dispute, Serrano later signed with Jake Paul’s promotion, boosting her visibility. Their first meeting at MSG in April 2022 was a sold-out event, hailed as one of the loudest atmospheres in the arena’s storied 140-year history, with Taylor narrowly winning a split decision before a record 1.5 million viewers, the largest audience ever for a female boxing headliner.
Their second fight, held at AT&T Stadium in November, saw Taylor claim a unanimous decision in a contentious match marked by repeated headbutts. This bout, co-headlined with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, became the most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history, amassing a combined $13 million purse. Now, their trilogy fight is set to surpass their earlier bouts as the biggest in women’s boxing history, headlining a Netflix card with a reported $18 million prize split between the two fighters.
Serrano, once overlooked despite holding titles across several weight classes, has risen significantly in profile and pay since joining Paul’s promotion. Meanwhile, Taylor has seen her earnings grow through various high-profile fights, reflecting the increasing financial rewards in women’s boxing. Hearn noted that both fighters are legends who deserve their success, emphasizing the mutual benefit of their rivalry.
Though rare, a third fight is justified given Serrano’s strong performance despite her losses, and her desire to shift to the 12-round format typical in men’s boxing—a change Taylor’s team opposes, citing excitement and growth considerations in women’s boxing. Jake Paul supports the move, arguing Taylor would have been stopped in previous bouts under the longer format. Regardless, Friday’s fight is expected to be as thrilling as their past encounters, with the stakes elevated by Netflix’s all-women’s card and the growing female boxing audience.
Both Taylor and Serrano stand as pillars of a golden era for women’s boxing, joined by stars like Claressa Shields and others who are reshaping the sport’s legacy. The rivalry, echoing legendary battles like Pacquiao vs. Marquez, brings intense drama and passion, with Paul and Serrano aiming to settle the series conclusively this weekend at MSG. Paul believes the winner will secure the rivalry’s legacy, as fans tend to remember the final outcome most vividly.
Fan Take: This trilogy is a landmark moment for women’s boxing, showcasing the sport’s evolution and the fierce competitiveness of its top athletes. For fight fans, it’s not only a thrilling rivalry but also a pivotal step in elevating women’s boxing to new heights of recognition and respect globally.
