Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano is a fight for the history books, says Eddie Hearn
- Joe Hewlett
- 7 February 2022
The pair will collide for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight titles in New York at Madison Square Garden.
MSG has hosted thousands of fights through its illustrious years, beginning more than a century ago on July 17, 1882; now, 140 years later, this matchup finally marks the very first time two female fighters are headlining a combat sports event at 'The World's Most Famous Arena'.
Irish icon Taylor (20-0 6 KOs) puts all the lightweight belts on the line for the sixth time since winning them in June 2019 in a war with Delfine Persoon and seeing off the Belgian in a rematch in England.
Taylor then overcame the challenges of Miriam Gutierrez, Natasha Jonas, Jennifer Han and Firuza Sharipova - and there's added spice to the fight as Taylor holds a win over Amanda's sister Cindy in Boston back in October 2018.
Puerto Rican sensation Serrano (42-1-1 30 KOs) already has an unrivalled legacy in the sport as a seven-weight world champion.
The Brooklyn based champion enters the momentous bout in sparkling form after knocking out Daniela Bermudez last March, dominating Yamileth Mercado in August and overpowering Miriam Gutierrez in two separate cards co-starring Jake Paul.
Dream come true for Serrano
Amanda was the 2021 Female Fighter of the Year for DAZN, ESPN and WBC among others.
"This is a fight I've wanted for a long, long time and I'm just excited for it to finally take place because these are the kind of fights I'm in the sport for," said Taylor.
"People have been talking about this fight for years and there have been times I wondered if it was ever going to happen so I'm very grateful to Eddie Hearn, everyone at Matchroom, DAZN and Madison Square Garden for getting it over the line.
"When I turned professional my goal was to be involved in huge events like this so to headline at Madison Square Garden in a fight of this magnitude is really the pinnacle of the sport. It's such an iconic venue and has been home to so many of the historic moments in boxing and I truly believe this will be another one."
"It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to headline Madison Square Garden and do so against one of the greatest boxers of all time in Katie Taylor," said Serrano.
"Since I was a young girl, my only boyfriend has been boxing. I have dedicated my life to him, and this event makes that commitment worth every minute. On April 30 I am going to make history for me, for my team, for my family, for Puerto Rico, for every Latina and Latino and for all women worldwide."
"From the moment Katie Taylor stepped into my office, this is the moment we always dreamed of," said promoter Eddie Hearn.
"The moment the world would stop and watch and watch the two greatest female fighters on the planet headline at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden.
"Taylor vs. Serrano is a fight for the history books. Yes, it's by far the biggest female fight of all time but it's also one of the biggest fights of all time, the undisputed world and Olympic champion against the seven division World champion.
"Both fighters deserve credit for getting this fight made, as does Jake Paul and his team at Most Valuable Promotions, DAZN and Madison Square Garden - together we're going to put on a special night in New York and create a fitting spectacle for these trailblazers to shine."
"We are honoured to be a part of this historic event, headlined by two historically dominant women. Bringing attention to women's boxing has been a priority for us and Saturday April 30 is a major milestone for not just the sport but girls globally who deserve equal opportunity," said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-Founders of Most Valuable Promotions.
