Amanda Serrano (31-1-1, 23 KOs) successfully defended her WBO Junior Featherweight belt against challenger Yazmin Rivas (35-10-1, 10 KOs) in what was an entertaining and historic firefight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
While the fight was able to speak for itself in action value alone, it marked a possible turning point in a sport that has mainly been dominated by men in its century-plus history.
Serrano became one of the first women fighters to be featured on premium cable in recent memory as she brawled her way to a domineering victory, beating Rivas unanimously on the cards by scores of 97-93, 98-92, and 99-91.
The two went at it from the opening bell, digging into each other’s bodies and not allowing the other to gain an inch.
Perhaps goaded on by the notion of being the first women to be in a nationally televised bout in this era of prize fighting, Serrano managed to throw 101 punches in the first round alone–a stat made all the more notable by the fact that women’s boxing only has two-minute rounds.
“We knew she was going to come to fight. She’s a Mexican fighter who’s very tough and experienced. I had to show her my power and my skills,” said Serrano after the bout.
Serrano largely outclassed Rivas, but in an entertaining display from both fighters and an arena that was sizably packed for being so early in the night, it seems inevitable that the women of boxing are liable to get even more chances to be on Showtime in the future.
Going forward, an all-Brooklyn showdown could be looming between Serrano and New York City fan-favorite (and stablemate) Heather Hardy (18-0, 4 KOs). Both fighters are highly beloved in their shared hometown, and both fighters’ styles hearken back to the golden era of the ring in which young fighters dug deep to pull out victories instead of being put in cupcake mismatches.
Serrano came to fight tonight and she’ll be back to fight again–it’s doubtless she’ll bring her A-game no matter who is put in front of her.
Photo by Mayweather Promotions
