Taylor-Serrano match packs punch in women's boxing

The future is uncertain for Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. After closing out their trilogy Friday at Madison Square Garden, neither fighter would commit to competing again.

The future of women’s boxing? It’s on a trajectory that’s never been seen before.

“Absolutely unbelievable to be part of a show like this,” said Taylor, speaking at the post-fight news conference. “To headline an all-female card was an absolute privilege. These are the sort of opportunities that people didn’t think was even possible a few years ago.”

It was possible largely due to Jake Paul, whose MVP promotions staged the first Taylor-Serrano fight at the Garden three years ago and came back for the final chapter. According to MVP’s CEO Nakisa Bidarian, the Garden was sold out with 19,721 in attendance. He also said that the event generated a live gate of $2.63 million — double the gate of Taylor-Serrano I. The card was streamed live on Netflix.

“I was more entertained watching these fights tonight than multiple other promotional events from our competitors,” Paul said. “It’s just a credit to the women. I’m super proud to part of this, but it’s all credit to them.”

The three-fight series between Taylor and Serrano raised the profile of women’s boxing to a level neither fighter could have ever imagined.

“I’m so grateful for Amanda Serrano, what an amazing champion,” said Taylor, who is from Bray, Ireland. “We created history together. My name will always be embedded with her, I am very, very happy about that. Both of us are sitting back, very, very proud right now.”

Friday’s bout was more a chess match, rather than the brawling pace that marked the first two encounters.

"Listen, I tried something different, it was all about fighting smarter, not harder," Serrano said. "I was trying to keep my distance because [coming forward] didn't work the first two fights."

Still, the athleticism and technique displayed by Taylor and Serrano illustrated the rising level of skill in the women’s game. Taylor is 39 and Serrano is 36. If they choose to retire, they leave a huge void for another fighter to fill.

On Friday’s card, Alycia Baumgardner, Ellie Scotney, Shadasia Green, Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron had the crowd engaged and energized. Consider fighters like Claressa Shields, Gabriela Fundora and Mikaela Mayer and the women’s talent pool is as deep as it’s ever been.

“They gave me a platform where I can really announce myself,” said Scotney, referring to Paul and MVP. “This is such a big journey with them and I feel like this is just the start.”

It remains to be seen, though, if any of them can draw the same numbers as Taylor and Serrano.

“There is so much amazing talent coming up,” Paul said.

While Paul faces criticism over his own boxing career, fighting a 58-year-old Mike Tyson and an inactive 39-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., he’s provided an opportunity for the women in the sport.

“Right now Jake Paul and MVP are sustaining women’s boxing,” said Lou DiBella, the hall-of-fame promoter who has helped develop the careers of Serrano and Long Island champion Alicia Napolitano. “Friday night was an undeniably huge event, I want to see women’s boxing succeed. I just hope it’s sustainable. If you care about women’s boxing, you have to be rooting for Jake Paul.”