Tonight at Madison Square Garden, the biggest women’s rivalry in history, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, will face off in a trilogy fight at 8:00 p.m. ET on Netflix. Taylor has two victories against Serrano and will defend her Undisputed Super Lightweight titles once more.
Many legends have fought at The World’s Most Famous Arena, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Mike Tyson. But Taylor and Serrano were the first women’s boxers to headline the venue and will do it one more time on Friday night. Here is my best bet for Taylor vs. Serrano 3.
Amanda Serrano by Decision or Technical Decision (-110)
Although Taylor won the first two fights, Serrano is still the favorite in this contest at -185, with Taylor being +150 on DraftKings Sportsbook. Serrano was also the favorite before the first two bouts.
The statistics actually favor Serrano in each of the fights. Serrano outlanded Taylor 278-208 in power punches in the second fight while landing 117 more total punches at a higher rate. Although Serrano wasn’t very accurate, she still landed more total and power punches than the champion did. Stats don’t tell the whole story, and even though Serrano put up a great effort in each bout, she knows more is needed to defeat “The Bray Bomber”.
Serrano needs to do a better job on defense in this fight. She allowed Taylor to land 41 percent of her overall punches and nearly 50 percent of power punches. Especially later in the contest, Serrano must move around the ring and avoid allowing Taylor to land big power shots. In the last two fights between the two, Taylor landed her biggest power punches in the last few rounds.
Trilogies are traditionally seen as the culmination of a rivalry, and although a fourth fight could occur if Serrano wins, it is not guaranteed, as Taylor is 39 and Serrano is 36 years old. Serrano has knockout power but has won six of her previous seven fights via decision. Taylor has proven time and again that she is a warrior, with her lone loss coming by decision. I expect another war in the trilogy, but it is time for “The Real Deal” to cement her legacy.
