Taylor, Serrano get ‘dream come true’ rematch

The biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing will have an even bigger rematch.

Two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor will once again face Amanda Serrano on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the co-main event of the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, officials told ESPN.

The card, promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), will air live on Netflix globally with no added paywall. It’s the first live combat sports event distributed by the streaming service and has a chance to be one of the most watched fight cards of the modern era.

Taylor is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Serrano by MVP.

“This is the rematch the world has wanted to see, and I’m delighted that it’s finally happening,” Taylor said in a statement. “The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different.”

Taylor vs. Serrano will be for the undisputed super lightweight championship held by Taylor. Serrano will move up three weight classes from the featherweight division, where she holds several world titles. The bout will be contested over 10 two-minute rounds.

ESPN has Taylor ranked No. 2 and Serrano at No. 3 on its women’s boxing pound-for-pound list.

“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” Tyson said in a statement. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will undoubtedly elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases. Adding one of the greatest fights in women’s boxing history to this unforgettable event is a true gift to fans.”

Taylor beat Serrano by a razor-close split decision on April 30, 2022, at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was the first women’s boxing match to headline MSG and more than lived up to its billing. The first bout was one of the best of the year in men’s and women’s boxing, and was considered historic in combat sports.

“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about,” Serrano said in a statement. “I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time I’m not leaving it to the judges.”

Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) is coming off a majority decision win over Chantelle Cameron in November, winning the unified super lightweight title in the process. The 37-year-old from Ireland avenged a previous loss to Cameron in May 2023. She is a former Olympic boxing gold medalist, the undisputed lineal women’s lightweight boxing champion and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Ireland.

Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs), from Puerto Rico, has won four in a row since losing to Taylor. She had to withdraw at the 11th hour from her last scheduled bout in December, when she was declared medically unfit because of an eye injury.

Serrano, 35, is the only women’s boxer to win championships in more than four weight classes and has held a record nine major world titles across seven weight classes.

“When we announced Paul vs. Tyson, we stated that this would be the most-watched boxing event in modern boxing history and we’re here to deliver on a card worthy of that greatness,” Paul and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a shared statement. “Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have proven they are two of the biggest names in the sport, male or female, and their rematch is one of the biggest fights in boxing, so it’s only fitting for them to be a part of this massive global event.

“Anyone who witnessed their first battle knows the unforgettable atmosphere and performance Amanda and Katie bring when they step into the ring together, and this is sure to be a fight of the year contender again.”

Both women are known for aggressive, high-paced styles and big punching, which was showcased in the first fight.

According to MVP, this will be the last time in her career Serrano fights with two-minute rounds. She has been a trailblazer for equality in boxing and has fought her last several bouts with three-minute rounds, the men’s boxing standard. Serrano relinquished her WBC featherweight title because the sanctioning body did not support three-minute rounds for women.

“While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10×2 for if that’s what Katie wanted,” Serrano said in the statement. “I’m coming for her belts, she wants 10×2, so that’s what we will do.”