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Taylor Edges Serrano In Fight For The Ages At MSG
Photos: Ed Mulholland - Matchroom
Katie Taylor edged out Amanda Serrano to retain her
undisputed Lightweight crown in an epic fight for the
ages at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York,
live on DAZN.
Taylor controlled the opening four rounds but Serrano
came on strong in the fifth and had her fans on her feet
as she seemed to hurt the Irish legend and the roof came
off the sold out arena as they traded heavy blows, but
Serrano seemed to be getting on top.
If the fifth round was exciting, the sixth blew it out
of the water as Taylor threw everything she had at the
Brooklyn ace who fired back in kind. Taylor seemed to
regain her composure despite the heavy shots she’d taken
as rounds seven and eight came and went with the
defending champion picking her shots and trying to
resist going toe-to-toe with the heavy-handed Puerto
Rican.
Both fighters knew the bout was in the balance and
served up a stunning final two minutes, and after the
crowd roared their appreciation for being lucky enough
to witness an unforgettable and history-making night, it
was Taylor whose hand was raised by split decision
(97-93, 96-93 and 94-96).
“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is - I think we are both
great fighters,” said Taylor. “Look what we have just
done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest
venue in boxing history.
“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers.
It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing
fight. What a night!
“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I
knew going into it that I was going to be in the
trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a
great, great person.
“I was listening to my trainer and I’m so grateful for
Ross. Thank you for everything. You’re such a humble guy
but you’re the best in the world.”
Liam Smith signaled his intentions to rule the
Super-Welterweight division once again, becoming the
first man to stop Jessie Vargas in a pulsating chief
support.
Such was the all-action opening half, Smith was cut in
third round over right eye and Vargas cut in the fifth
as both men came out firing. The tide began to turn in
Smith’s favor as the halfway mark approached and poured
on the pressure, landing heavy artillery on the Vegas
man who somehow stayed on his feet, surviving an
especially sustained attack in the ninth round.
The referee inspected the former two-weight World
champion and deemed him ok to carry on, but Smith took
up the attack once again and although Vargas gamely
tried to stay in the contest, his corner was ready to
pull their man out inside a minute of the tenth round
before the referee stepped in, crowning Smith the WBO
Intercontinental champion and putting the rest of the
division on notice.
In the first undisputed fight of the night, all the
Super-Middleweight titles will stay in America after
Franchon Crews-Dezurn saw off the brave Elin Cederroos.
The twice cancelled battle between the pair was well
worth the wait, with Cederroos showing immense heart to
keep going in the contest despite bleeding heavily from
the nose from the third round. Crews-Dezurn outworked
the Swede and being roared on by her friend Claressa
Shields, the Baltimore star took all the marbles on the
scorecards 99-91, 99-91 and 97-93.
It is going to be hard to keep Gamal Yafai away from
World title action even this early in his career, as the
British Olympic Gold medal man took just two rounds to
dismantle Miguel Cartagena and successfully defend his
WBC International Super-Flyweight title in his second
pro fight and first on American soil.
The early action in the night saw Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams
show more of his trademark ferocity, pummeling the
unbeaten Chordale Booker into the ropes and nearly out
of the ring – and after taking a count, the Connecticut
man was in no condition to continue, Ammo recording the
fifth first round stoppage win of his career and sending
out a warning to the Middleweight division.
The night began with talented trio Reshat Mati, Skye
Nicolson and Khalil Coe all recording points wins.
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