Results Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Katie Taylor wins controversial decision over Amanda Serrano in another instant classic
ARLINGTON, Texas – Katie Taylor survived another attack from Amanda Serrano on Friday night.
The tough Irish woman endured several weak runs, as well as a point deduction for leading with her head, reacting sharply and beating Serrano by one point on all three scorecards to win their 10-round rematch at the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul undercard at AT&T Stadium. Serrano fought bravely and ferociously through a grotesque gash on her right eye for more than six rounds and seemed stunned when it was announced that the seven-division champion from Brooklyn was losing 95-94 on the cards of judges Jeremy Hayes, Nate Palmer and Jesse Reyes. Many in attendance gasped at the decision and booed during Taylor’s post-fight interview in the ring.
Despite another questionable result, Serrano, 36, and Taylor, 38, produced a second spectacular brawl in front of a huge crowd at the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium. Taylor won their first fantastic fight via split decision in April 2022 in a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York.
Taylor on Friday evening retained the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO 140-pound titles she won against England’s Chantelle Cameron in her previous fight, which took place on November 25, 2023 at the 3Arena in Dublin. Cameron topped Taylor by majority decision in Taylor’s previous outing, a 10-rounder six months earlier at 3Arena.
Serrano, who moved up three weight classes for this rematch, has lost just two limited decisions to Taylor in the last 12 years.
Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) and Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) fought Friday night like they knew their fight could be on the table early in the 10th round. They traded, but Serrano seemed to stagger Taylor, who was exhausted and trying to hold the strong southpaw.
Taylor rallied toward the end of the 10th round, hitting Serrano with several hard rights.
Early in the fight, Taylor took advantage of Serrano coming forward without moving her head in the opening minute of the second round, as Taylor landed several rights and lefts. However, another stiff left from Serrano took Taylor to the back just before the second round ended.
A more active, more accurate Taylor was the more effective fighter during the third round. Serrano’s pressure was negated in those two minutes by Taylor’s precise punches and ability to quickly step out of Serrano’s punching range.
Serrano tattooed Taylor in tense exchanges that had the crowd roaring in the opening minute of the fourth round. Taylor tried to hold Serrano to choke him, but she also caught Serrano with two hard left hands in the final 30 seconds of the fourth round.
Serrano also suffered a cut to her right eye during the fourth round, caused by a clash of heads.
Referee Jon Schorle warned Taylor for holding during the fifth round. Serrano was the aggressor during those two minutes and took the harder blows.
Taylor effectively countered Serrano by stepping back and landing a right hand in the sixth round. Constant clashes of heads aggravated a grotesque cut on Serrano’s right eye, and Schorle called for a short break with just over a minute left in the sixth round so a ringside doctor could examine it.
Serrano and Taylor furiously traded power punches in the first 30 seconds of the seventh round. About 45 seconds later, the action intensified again, earning loud applause from the fans.
Serrano sought a knockout early in the eighth round, firing power shots that put Taylor on her back foot. Schorle warned Taylor about leading with her head, straight into that huge gash around Serrano’s right eye, with just under 1:10 on the clock in the eighth round.
Just before the end of the eighth round, Schorle deducted a point from Taylor for deliberately pushing her head into Serrano’s gash.
A bloodied, tired Serrano slowed during the ninth lap. Taylor took advantage of her opponent’s work rate and consistently connected with effective punches in those two minutes.
Two and a half years ago, Serrano buzzed Taylor and landed a series of powerful punches during the fifth round of their brutal fight. An aggressive Serrano tried to finish her, but the determined Taylor took Serrano’s hardest punches, regained her senses, landed many of her own power punches over the final five rounds and won a split decision to win her IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles.
In that first fight, judges Guido Cavalleri (96-93) and Glenn Feldman (97-93) scored the fantastic fight for Taylor. Judge Benoit Roussel scored Serrano the winner, 96-94.
