aylor vs Serrano – LIVE!
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano face-off tonight in what is easily the biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing.
The iconic Madison Square Garden in New York is the location for a major showdown long in the making, which will see the undisputed lightweight championship of the world on the line.
Irish icon Taylor has held that status since her controversial 2019 win over Delfine Persoon at this same venue and remains undefeated in a glittering, trailblazing career, but faces a huge test tonight against her toughest opponent in Serrano.
The Puerto Rican, now promoted by Jake Paul, is a nine-time world champion across a record seven different weight divisions and currently also reigns as the unified featherweight queen.
On tonight’s undercard, Liam Smith returns to action against former two-weight world champion Jessie Vargas, while Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederroos battle for the undisputed women’s super-middleweight championship. Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai also makes only his second professional appearance.
Boxing schedule and results
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Jessie Vargas vs Liam Smith
Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs Elin Cederroos
Galal Yafai vs Miguel Cartagena
Austin Williams vs Chordale Booker
Reshat Mati bt Joe Eli Hernandez
Skye Nicolson bt Shanecqua Paisley Davis
Khalil Coe bt William Langston
Follow Taylor vs Serrano LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!
Live updates
The composition of the capacity Madison Square Garden crowd for tonight’s main event will be very interesting.
A lot of Irish fans have inevitably flown over for this, while there is obviously a strong Irish community already in the Big Apple.
But Serrano’s Puerto Rico is also strongly represented in this city. Who will have the edge from the crowd?
It should be one hell of an atmosphere!
Williams vs Booker coming up
Only one fight remaining before the main undercard is underway in New York!
The 8-0 American prospect Austin “Ammo” Williams takes on Chordale Booker for the WBA continental Americas middleweight belt.
It’s a 10-round battle of two undefeated southpaws.
Mati outpoints Hernandez in ill-tempered clash
All three judges score the bout 80-72 in favour of Reshat Mati, who moves to 12-0 after dominating an ill-tempered contest.
A fine debut on the main stage at MSG from the Albanian Bear, who had only previously fought here at the Hulu Theater downstairs.
Mati vs Hernandez
The confident Mati is talking all the time as he feints and moves brilliantly, timing his strikes to perfection – particularly those thudding uppercuts.
Hernandez almost accidentally clocks the referee there!
Mati cruises to the end of the final round. This has been very comfortable indeed for the 23-year-old.
Mati vs Hernandez
Mati again signalling to the referee over another punch to the back of the head early in the seventh.
Hernandez determinedly coming forward still, but he’s being confidently picked off – particularly when he comes in low and gets struck with that jolting uppercut.
Mati is still talking plenty of trash and keeping a limit on his full aggression, but there are some lovely combinations and his speed is embarrassing the frustrated Hernandez.
Mati vs Hernandez
More of the same in the sixth, Mati still a mile on top as he throws some eye-catching uppercuts and bruising body blows. His scything left hook to the body is a mean, mean weapon.
He’s been very displeased with what he feels are repeated punches to the back of the head from Hernandez, consistently gesturing to the referee.
Hernandez – despite his impressive knockout record – looks very limited and eats so many shots. But Mati seems reluctant to fully push forward and take him out as things stand.
Mati vs Hernandez
Mati has been caught once or twice upstairs over the past couple of rounds, but he’s still in complete control of this eight-round contest through five.
Hernandez absorbs some spiteful combinations towards the end of the fifth, with the referee again having to step in to cool simmering tensions.
There is clearly no love lost between this pair. Hernandez is being dominated and is obviously getting very frustrated as a result.
He’s taking a lot of punishment and you wonder if Mati could put him away soon…
Watch: Mati walks out to Stone Cold’s entrance music
Mati vs Hernandez
Mati is completely controlling the tempo here, utilising his vastly superior speed with hands and feet to great effect.
He’s slick, skilled and focused, landing his own shots in bunches and proving too quick for Hernandez’s tame and telegraphed rushes, making him miss plenty.
It’s one-sided, but still with enough of a feisty edge to keep things highly watchable.
Will Mati push for the stoppage?
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