An electrified gathering of 94,000 attended heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s Saturday title defence in England. Unbeaten welterweight champions Errol Spence Jnr and Terence Crawford are as close to striking a deal to fight as they’ve ever been. And the sport has now fully embraced major women’s bouts.
“Boxing is alive right now,” US Olympic silver medallist Shakur Stevenson said. “A lot of people have tried to act like boxing is dying. No, it’s evolved. This is the best time.”
The sport has also set aside it’s routine (and petty) promoter-broadcaster squabbles by striking a deal to have two major fights this weekend air in succession rather than simultaneously. Taylor versus Serrano will commence at 10.15pm Eastern time on DAZN before the men’s super-featherweight WBC/WBO unification bout between Stevenson and Oscar Valdez at 11.15pm on ESPN.
“I’m a big fan of Amanda Serrano,” Stevenson said. “I knew her as a kid when I’d go to Gleason’s Gym [in Brooklyn] to spar and I’d see her all the time. I’m rocking with her to win, but I support them both.
“And I’m happy the world can watch their fight and then come to watch our fight.”
Stevenson, who fought alongside two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-division champion Claressa Shields, said he has long admired the diligence put forth by female fighters despite the prior minimal pay and limited attention.
Matchroom Sports promoter Eddie Hearn and YouTube-star-turned-Serrano-promoter Jake Paul combined to aid in the extra hype for Taylor-Serrano, a bout certain to entertain.
Taylor, a 2012 Olympic gold medallist, is soft-spoken but a fierce fighter. She is 20-0 with six knockouts, elevating to undisputed lightweight champion.
Serrano (42-1-1, 12 KOs) is a relentless and precise puncher who stands as a -150 favorite to win at Tipico Sportsbook. Taylor is a minor +110 underdog.
Taylor, drawn to the ring by her boxer father and brothers, is the antithesis of her mouthy countryman, former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Taylor first urged Hearn to promote her and women’s boxing years ago, and the promoter foresees the quality of this weekend’s bout being a launching point to enhance recognition of female champions. That includes Shields and American world champions, such as Jessica McCaskill, Mikaela Mayer, Seniesa Estrada and Marlen Esparza.
“She’s a true fighter. The people look at her and see she’s so quiet, so soft-spoken, yet she’s one of most fierce fighters I’ve ever worked with,” Hearn said. “It’s very hard to become invested in a personality like Katie Taylor because she’s quite closed, shy. She’s turned down millions of dollars in sponsorships, media appearances because it’s not for her.
“Yet, at the same time, in a world where fighters are throwing millions of dollars in strip clubs, people find Katie Taylor incredibly refreshing – that she’s a wonderful individual and a true fighter. People fall in love with the way she fights.”
Taylor raised eyebrows during an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, revealing her idea of championship preparation.
“You have to beat your body into submission every week. That’s what you have to do. [Boxing’s] in my blood,” Taylor said. “I walked into a gym and it became my passion.”
“To be in this iconic event, to headline Madison Square Garden, and for it to be almost sold out – and people say there’s no interest in women’s boxing,” Serrano said. “I’m of Puerto Rican descent, trying to become the first undisputed champion from Puerto Rico.”
The Empire State Building announced it will colour the building alternately in the colours of Ireland and Puerto Rico Saturday.
“You can almost feel these iconic moments from the past when you are there. There’s going to be a lot of Irish fans in the building,” Taylor said. “It’s going to make for an amazing atmosphere.
“Years and years later from this fight, people are still going to be talking about Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano.”
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