Trailblazers in arms: Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano complete legacy-defining trilogy, elevate women’s boxing to bright future

NEW YORK — There is nothing more satisfying than a boxing fight that gets people talking years after it takes place — a memorable bout that gets reflected on as a game-changing moment.

For Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, their trilogy and legacies in the sport will stand the test of time. 

For the third time in three years, Taylor and Serrano faced off in the center of the ring. Madison Square Garden housed these warriors for a second time. History was made once again in New York, as the all-women’s card enthralled a sold-out crowd from the first to the last bell.

The first contest in 2022 earned Fight of the Year recognition. The second one, on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson undercard, watched by over 50 million households, brought them worldwide acclaim. The trilogy and all-women’s card, featuring a Guinness World Record of titles on the line, proved the value of women’s boxing if given the chance.

“The goal for this all-women’s card is to put the world on notice that women’s boxing is just as entertaining as men’s and can be just as exciting, if not more,” Jake Paul told ESPN before the event.

MORE: The case for two vs. three-minute rounds in women’s boxing

Taylor beat Serrano in a close first fight. You could argue Serrano could have won the rematch. The trilogy saw Taylor once again beat Serrano in MSG to go 3-0 against “The Real Deal.” Although it was a tentative performance by both, it was still special and added something unique to their story.

Women’s boxing has had trailblazers over the years, from Christy Martin, Jane Couch, Laila Ali, and more. Claressa Shields is a top-ranked fighter who continues to break barriers along with Taylor and Serrano. Those three have led the way while honoring the aforementioned greats.

There have been several all-women’s boxing cards, but this series really shone a light on just how great it can be.

Taylor and Serrano competed in 30 rounds and landed close to 1,000 punches. The trilogy won’t just be talked about as a great women’s boxing series. Not only is it comparable to Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward, it will be discussed among the best rivalries in boxing history, including Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta, and Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier.

“In the 1970s, female boxers knocked on the door; in the 1990s, they pounded on it,” boxing historian Mark Jones told The Saturday Evening Post. “And in the 2010s, they kicked it in when the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, held in London, England, featured women’s boxing as a sport.”

MORE: Top 10 greatest female boxers of all-time

Each fighter has brought something to the table that has defined themselves and the sport for years to come.

Taylor pretended to be a boy to box and competed in the first sanctioned women’s boxing bout in Ireland. The Irish fighter won gold at the Olympics, her first taste of glory. From there, she headlined multiple shows under the Matchroom Boxing brand. All it took was a message to Eddie Hearn.

Serrano had her sister Cindy, a former boxing champion who also faced Taylor, in her corner. A seven-division conqueror, she became the first undisputed champion, male or female, of the four-belt era from Puerto Rico. Serrano has also advocated for change in boxing, competing in three-minute rounds.

Has women’s boxing truly “made it?” It’s still taking some time to garner interest from casual fans, and women still fight for those longer rounds. However, several promotions have learned to adapt. Matchroom Boxing, Salita Promotions, and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions have set the standard for how to promote women properly.

“It takes many watershed moments to make a reservoir,” Jim Lampley told ESPN. “This can be a watershed moment without bringing us to a culminating point where we say that women’s boxing has totally made it. It’s always going to be an uphill climb, but we get a little closer when two star fighters come together.”

Deep in the tunnels of Madison Square Garden, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano prepared for their first and last fight together. They fed off the energy of a passionate crowd, as they have done for years. This time, it felt different. Like a change in the wind.

Women’s boxing still has a ways to go, but Taylor and Serrano helped lead the charge to a brighter tomorrow. And that is how legends are born.