ARLINGTON, Texas -- A Night of Excitement

In a night filled with excitement and tension, Katie Taylor narrowly retained her undisputed women's lightweight championship, defeating Amanda Serrano by a highly controversial unanimous decision on Friday evening at AT&T Stadium.

A Historic Rematch

This much-anticipated rematch came a year after their historic first bout at Madison Square Garden, where Taylor claimed victory by a razor-thin split decision—a landmark event as it marked the first time two women headlined the iconic venue, both earning a staggering seven-figure payout as pioneers of women's boxing.

High Stakes Anticipation

Once again, the stakes were monumental, as both fighters were renowned as top contenders in the sport. The anticipation in the arena was palpable, with fans eager to witness a clash between two of the best pound-for-pound female boxers.

A Controversial Decision

Despite an electrifying performance, the outcome of the fight sparked bitterness among fans and pundits alike. Most spectators and statistical analyses suggested that Serrano had the edge, yet judges scored the bout 95-94 in favor of Taylor, igniting a wave of discontent.

Post-Fight Reactions

"This is an amazing moment for women's boxing, and we put on a show," said Taylor after the fight. "I’m just grateful for another incredible night."

Taylor, 38, from Dublin, Ireland, was fighting just months after a majority decision victory over Chantelle Cameron, a bout that marked her return to the ring following the first loss of her career, which came at Cameron's hands earlier in May 2023. With this bout against Serrano, it appeared she might be on the verge of suffering another defeat.

“I knew it was going to be a little shady, but listen, I came here because I chose to be great,” Serrano voiced her feelings after the match. “I moved up three divisions to take on this challenge. I dared to be great tonight.”

Serrano's Strong Performance

Serrano, 36, entered the fight on a high note, boasting five consecutive wins following her defeat to Taylor in their initial clash. In her previous outing, she dominated Stevie Morgan, winning convincingly in just two rounds.

Despite stepping up in weight class, Serrano displayed noticeable strength and aggression, ultimately outpacing Taylor in punches thrown and landed. According to the statistics, Serrano connected on 324 of her 734 punches compared to Taylor's 217 of 529, yet the judges appeared to overlook her work rate.

The Fight Breakdown

The fight intensified in the early rounds, with Serrano establishing dominance through powerful combinations and body shots that pushed Taylor onto the defensive. Taylor eventually found her rhythm in Round 3, desperately trying to regain control against Serrano’s unrelenting offense. The match became physical, leading to inadvertent clashes of heads that resulted in a severe cut above Serrano’s eye, which worsened as the fight progressed.

Amid the chaos, a pivotal moment occurred in Round 8 when Taylor was penalized a point for repeated clinching, signaling the judges’ scrutiny of her tactics. Taylor’s resilience shone through as she fought back with competitive exchanges in the middle rounds, captivating the audience with their intensity.

What's Next?

As the series stands with Taylor now at 2-0 against Serrano, the contentious nature of both encounters raises questions about the possibility of a third fight. With both fighters showcasing exceptional talent and tenacity, boxing fans are left wondering whether a trilogy bout could settle the scores once and for all. Stay tuned to see how this fierce rivalry unfolds!