Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live the main-event and undercard action live from Madison Square Garden
Katie Taylor retained her undisputed lightweight title with a split-decision win against Amanda Serrano on Saturday night, edging a thrilling contest at Madison Square Garden. The pair were the first female fighters to headline at the iconic New York City venue, and their title fight in front of a sold-out crowd lived up to the billing of being the biggest bout in the history of women’s boxing.
Taylor started as the sharper fighter amid a raucous atmosphere, managing her range well and catching her Puerto Rican opponent with several well-timed counter left hooks. Serrano maintained her gameplan of walking down Taylor, however, and in the second round the unified featherweight champion began to find homes for stinging left straights from her southpaw stance. The most dramatic frame of the fight was the fifth, with the women wildly trading punches in the corner as Serrano’s shots began to take greater effect. The 33-year-old and Taylor moved into the centre of the ring, where Serrano’s power and variety of punches had the defending champion in trouble – almost out on her feet.
Neither woman had ever been knocked down ahead of this bout, however, and Taylor was able to draw on reserves of resilience to make it through the round and even win the final few at least. The result was left to the judges, who scored the fight 96-94 to Serrano, 97-93 to Taylor, and 96-93 to Taylor. As such, Taylor remained unbeaten and retained her undisputed lightweight title as the Madison Square Garden crowd erupted with noise.
Re-live updates from Taylor vs Serrano and the undercard, below.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 6
Vargas is spending more and more time with his back to the ropes. He seems to be gradually wilting...
Smith is amped up, shouting to the crowd as the round ends.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 5
Vargas is cut now, too. Smith is improving through the fight.
He has Vargas against the ropes and is mixing it up well between the body and head.
Uppercuts upstairs are landing for the Briton...
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 4
This has turned into a brawl! Vargas’ back is against the ropes, and Smith is going to town!
But Vargas lands a stunning one-two, and for a second Smith looks to be in trouble!
The Briton quickly gets his senses together and targets Vargas’ body, however.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 3
Smith is cut above his right eye – potentially from a clash of heads.
The Briton’s left hook is beginning to land with increasing frequency, but Vargas is taking it well.
Lots of power shots in a competitive round.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 2
Vargas has thrown the same combination a couple of times now to great effect: a left hook to the body followed by a right hook to the head.
Smith is down to a knee, but it’s just a slip.
Vargas’ jab is money right now, but again Smith ends the round on top; again he backs the American into the corner and evades shots impressively.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Vargas vs Smith – Round 1
Smith slowly stalks his opponent with a very tight guard.
The Briton slams a left hook into the body of Vargas, who soon retaliates with a slick right straight up top.
Good head movement from Smith, with Vargas backed into the corner and forced to throw to get himself out.
Vargas begins to slow down late in the round – seemingly intentionally, after becoming aware that he’s been expending a lot of energy early on.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
A great reaction for Smith, 33, presumably from the Irish in New York City’s Madison Square Garden actually.
Boos for Vargas, 32...
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Meanwhile, Briton Smith stopped compatriot Anthony Fowler last time out, in October 2021.
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
American Vargas hasn’t fought since early 2020, when he lost to Mikey Garcia on points.
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