This weekend, New York will host a spectacular showcase of top-tier boxing with back-to-back Big Time Boxing Cards. Friday’s highlight is the historic All Women’s Card streaming from Madison Square Garden on Netflix at 8 pm, featuring a monumental trilogy fight between the unbeaten junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) and nine-division titleholder Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs).
The following night, “Ring III” will unfold at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens (Dazn PPV, 6 pm ET), headlined by super middleweights Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) and Hamza Shearaz (21-0-1, 17 KOs). Additionally, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stephenson (23-0, 11 KOs) will defend his title against international contender William Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs).
Key storylines to watch include the historic significance of the Taylor-Serrano trilogy, which has electrified fans with its fierce competition and record-breaking viewership, marking a turning point in women’s boxing. Despite a 0-2 record against Taylor, Serrano remains a formidable favorite, known for her power and aggressive style.
On the men’s side, Berlanga and Shearaz are both eager to restore their reputations following recent setbacks, with eyes on potential future bouts against stars like Canelo Alvarez. Stephenson faces pressure to shed his reputation as a defensive, less exciting fighter in his upcoming title defense.
Moreover, the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) continue to cautiously deepen their partnership with the Saudi-backed Riyadh season, reflecting a slow but strategic move towards global expansion, impacting how boxing’s broadcast and promotions landscape could evolve by 2026.
Fan Take: This weekend’s dual boxing events are crucial for showcasing the evolution and growing prominence of women’s boxing while spotlighting rising talents and redemption arcs in men’s boxing. Fighting fans should be excited as this marks a pivotal moment that could reshape the sport’s global appeal and competitive dynamics for years to come.