Madison Square Garden, July 12, 2025. The air crackled with anticipation. Flags representing Ireland and Puerto Rico waved in a vibrant, dense crowd that packed the historic venue. This wasn`t just another fight night; it was the third and seemingly definitive chapter in a rivalry that had single-handedly elevated women`s professional boxing to unprecedented heights: Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano.
The previous two encounters had been nothing short of grueling wars, defined by relentless aggression and high-octane exchanges. The second fight, in particular, had set records for the sheer volume of punches landed in a women`s bout. Given Serrano`s reputation as a devastating puncher and Taylor`s own warrior spirit, honed through years of Olympic success and professional battles, the expectation was clear: prepare for another bloody, toe-to-toe slugfest.
Even Serrano herself seemed to lean into this narrative before the fight, noting Taylor`s “Irish fighter” toughness – a toughness that, ironically, could make her vulnerable if she chose to stand and trade with a harder hitter. The national anthems, the fervent chants, the atmosphere – everything screamed “incoming brawl.”
But the script, much to the surprise of many anticipating another war, was rewritten. Katie Taylor, at 39, delivered a performance that was less about brute force and more about strategic brilliance. With footwork that belied her years and ring experience, she boxed with a discipline that had perhaps been overshadowed in their prior battles. The anticipated slugfest politely took a rain check.
Taylor`s game plan was evident from the outset: control the distance, use movement, and avoid the pockets of close-range combat where Serrano thrives. While she sustained a minor mark under her eye from one of Serrano`s long left hands, that was largely the extent of the significant damage inflicted. Taylor simply didn`t allow Serrano to trap her or sit down on her powerful shots.
Serrano, for her part, attempted adjustments, reportedly aiming for a “smarter, not harder” approach focusing on longer punches. However, she struggled immensely to solve the puzzle of Taylor`s movement. The statistics paint a clear picture: Serrano threw a significantly higher volume of punches but connected at a dramatically lower percentage, missing over 300 shots. Taylor, throwing less, was far more precise, particularly with her power punches.
The result was a fight that lacked the visceral brutality of the first two, but delivered a clearer outcome on the scorecards. While one judge strangely saw it even, the majority awarded the fight decisively to Taylor (97-93 on two cards), a fair reflection of her strategic dominance. Taylor executed her plan flawlessly, proving that sometimes, the toughest fighter isn`t the one who stands and trades, but the one who is smart enough *not* to.
Beyond the specific tactics of the night, this trilogy holds immense significance. Taylor and Serrano have become inextricably linked, pioneers who took a professional sport that was nascent just a decade ago and propelled it onto the biggest stages. Selling out Madison Square Garden twice is a testament to their drawing power and the groundswell of support for women`s boxing. Serrano`s own journey, from earning a meager $4,000 purse years ago to becoming a multi-million dollar fighter, symbolizes the growth they have driven.
In the emotional aftermath, both fighters acknowledged the history they made together. Serrano, visibly moved, thanked the fans, recognizing that the packed arena and the “noise” were crucial for opening doors for future generations of female athletes. Taylor echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in representing her country and sharing the ring with such a formidable opponent.
This third fight, perhaps the least violent yet most tactically revealing, definitively sealed their shared legacy. It wasn`t the war everyone expected, but a strategic masterclass that showcased a different dimension of Taylor`s skill and underscored the evolution and potential of women`s boxing.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow