Taylor vs Serrano make boxing history at the Garden

Times have really changed for women’s boxing. Only sanctioned in Britain since 1997, and not an Olympic sport until 2012, it has had a very steep hill to climb. A female bout on an undercard was almost unknown before this first crop of Olympians brought it crashing into the public consciousness. Savannah Marshall, Natasha Jonas, and Nicola Adams became household names.

But none have done more to shatter barriers than Ireland’s Katie Taylor. Since taking gold at those inaugural 2012 games, she has been a regular feature on the biggest undercards, working her way up to becoming the headliner herself. She is the undisputed lightweight champion, taking hold of the WBA, WBO, IBF, WBC and Ring magazine titles with a firm grasp. Since unifying these titles in her 2019 bout with Delfine Persoon, Taylor has seen off all comers, successfully defending her belts six times in less than three years.

And now, Katie Taylor is poised to crash through another level of glass ceiling. Matchroom Boxing have announced that she will defend her titles against Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano as the headline fight on April 30th in Madison Square Garden. This will make history as the first ever female bout to headline this cathedral of boxing.

Katie Taylor (20-0 6 KOs) said, “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. 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."

Amanda Serrano (42-1-1 30 KOs) is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Spain’s Miriam Gutierrez in December capping a stellar year for the seven-weight world champion that saw her knock out Daniela Bermudez in March before dominating Yamileth Mercado in August.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said, “Taylor vs Serrano is a fight for the history books. It is 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."

Serrano trains out of Brooklyn and is keenly aware of the significance of the event. "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. 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 30 April 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."

Women’s Sports Foundation founder and tennis legend Billie Jean King was even more clear on the limits being done away with. "The Taylor vs. Serrano fight at Madison Square Garden is historic and it is only fitting it is being held in the venue that has hosted so many important championships in sports," said King.

"These two women are breaking barriers and opening doors for others by being the main event and not the undercard, fighting for one of the biggest paydays in boxing and showing everyone that if you can see it, you can be it."

The fight will be available worldwide on DAZN. Presale begins at 12noon ET on Thursday February 3, with tickets on general sale at 12noon ET on Friday February 4th. Tickets start at $56 (plus fees)