Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor's fight isn't just about what happens inside the ring. It's a battle for recognition and respect that these two warriors deserve. By Adam Caparell on November 21, 2024. Photograph: Getty Images; Collage: Gabe Conte. Save this story. Save this story.

Why This Fight Stands Out

If you're familiar with boxing, you know that America's most chaotic sport often fails to live up to the hype—except when Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor step into the ring. While Jake Paul and Mike Tyson's Netflix extravaganza was grim, these two pound-for-pound women boxers stole the show in the co-main event, delivering a bloody and action-packed second chapter of their legendary rivalry.Serrano, who suffered a nasty headbutt-induced cut above her right eye early in the fight, was the hard-luck loser via unanimous decision. Four days after her third professional loss (against 47 wins), one might expect her to lay low while her wounds heal. But after making history—the streamer called Taylor-Serrano II the most-watched women's sporting event in U.S. history, with 50 million households tuning in—and earning a payday reportedly in excess of $6 million, there's no need to hide.Sitting on a Zoom call in front of an art piece commemorating Taylor-Serrano I—the first women's fight to headline Madison Square Garden and easily 2022's Fight of the Year—the proud Puerto Rican doesn't hesitate to show off her fixed-up face."It was a plastic surgeon who stitched it up and he did a very good job," says Serrano, laughing. "It's on the line of my eyebrow so I'm, like, Ok, it's perfect."

Amanda Serrano's Warrior Spirit

The shot Serrano posted on social media with blood dripping down the right side of her face was iconic. When asked if she had plans to do something with it, like put it in her house or gym, she replied, "It was just to show that I'm a warrior and there's no stopping me. No matter how big it was, no matter how much blood I was losing, I'm going to be there until the end. About putting it in my house? [Laughs] I don't think so. I'll definitely have it on the phone, definitely on social media. But I don't want to be reminded of that—even though it's a good thing to be reminded of, like how deep I had to dig to finish that fight."The cut she suffered was indeed nasty. Watching it back and even seeing herself in the middle of the ring, she was shocked. But she also felt a sense of happiness, knowing she fought through it and is unstoppable.

Katie Taylor's Fighting Style

After showing off in front of 50 million households, Serrano was asked about the pride she feels. She said, "I'm extremely proud of what we've done. At that moment, I don't acknowledge how many people are watching or in the arena. All I see is Katie and all I hear is my team in my corner. Thank God I have that ability because if not, I'd probably fall apart [laughs]. I know this is the biggest stage we've been on—over 70,000 people [in the arena], on Netflix—but it's just who I am, it's in my DNA. I go out there and perform and block everything out. I will honestly say fighting in Madison Square Garden or the Hulu Theatre [inside MSG] was a lot more intense than that. I was telling my team that in the Hulu Theatre, you could just feel the heat from everybody."The result of the fight wasn't what Serrano wanted, and after the fight, she said Katie's headbutts were intentional. While heads can clash in boxing, Serrano has been cut by Katie twice now. She doesn't think Katie trains to use her head intentionally but admits Katie uses it more than other fighters.

The Trilogy and Future Fights

When asked if they have to wait another two years for the trilogy, Serrano replied, "Definitely not, because I don't have two more years in me to wait. [Laughs] Listen, I'm the fighter. It's up to my team with the negotiations, but I'm up for it. I know the fans want to see it again and I'm up for giving great shows."She was also asked about where the next fight could take place. She said she's ready to fight anywhere as long as it makes sense and makes money.

The Case for Three-Minute Rounds

For those who don't know, Serrano explained why the women's side of boxing regularly delivers great fights. She said, "Because we're fighting for more than just what we're fighting for in the ring. Because we're fighting for the recognition and the respect that we deserve. A lot of people assume women don't fight as good or are not as willing to get cut and continue to fight. I think we're fighting so much harder because we want to show the critics and platforms that we're deserving of the spotlight and the money we're getting—which should go up."She also discussed the three-minute rounds. If she had an extra minute in both fights, it would've been a different story. Before the fight, they agreed to three-minute rounds and 12 rounds. But after the fight, things got complicated. Serrano hopes they can use that extra minute to finish off an opponent or perform better.

Jake Paul's Impact on Boxing

Serrano has been part of Jake Paul's MVP Promotions for a few years. She said the moment she realized this event was different was after the fight. Seeing the celebrities, hearing the numbers, and realizing over 50 million households tuned in was a wake-up call.When asked if she watched the main event, she said yes and that she wanted to see her manager (Jake Paul) do his thing. She was also asked if the event was good for boxing. She believes so, as more viewers now know about boxing and are interested in women's boxing.When asked what she respects most about Jake Paul's involvement in the sport, she said, "He's serious about this. We first met in the gym and he was zoned in, really training. Jake Paul doesn't have to fight, but he continues to box. He went in there with Mike Tyson. He's fearless and wants to prove he's deserving of the spotlight. A lot of champions don't want to fight other champions, but Jake is learning on the job and going in with more experienced people."She also discussed how other boxers calling out Jake for a fight is a sign of his popularity and the money he brings.