Photo by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
Live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday night, Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (32-1-1, 24 KOs) made history on Showtime Extreme, becoming the first Puerto Rican fighter and the first woman to win world titles in five weight divisions.
Serrano defeated Dahiana Santana (35-9, 14-KOs) by TKO at 1:14 of Round 8 to acquire her historic moment and the WBO Bantamweight title.
Santana started off the early rounds moving swiftly on her feet, remaining cautious to avoid the heavy hands of Serrano. Serrano stayed patient behind her snapping southpaw jab and attempted to cut off the ring.
By the third round, Santana began to engage more with Serrano, throwing many wild punches with little success. These wild punches left Santana open to flurries of solid punches by Serrano.
As Santana continued to throw her onslaught of wild punches, Serrano seized her opportunity to punish Santana’s body.
The vicious body attack of Serrano left Santana battered, slow and mentally defeated. Santana was visibly broken-down and attempted to hold on to Serrano to stay in the fight. The referee took notice of the excessive holding and eventually deducted a point from Santana.
Serrano was just too much for Santana in every second of the fight. In Round 8, Serrano unleashed a flurry of combinations and Santana covered up–eventually retreating to the ropes. Her inability to answer back left the referee no choice but to call the fight.
An emotional Serrano spoke to Jim Gray in the ring following the fight. When asked what this means to her to be five time world champion Serrano fought back tears.
“It means everything to me. We worked so hard. We worked hard for this moment,” Serrano said. “To be a five-division world champion is amazing. To be the first female and first Puerto Rican is amazing,” said Serrano.
Tonight, in victory, Serrano surpassed her own idol, Miguel Cotto, to become the first Puerto Rican five-division world champion.
Serrano explained her pride in receiving this accomplishment for her heritage and herself. “I’m so proud to be a Puerto Rican. I’m so proud to be a Showtime fighter. I’m just so happy for this moment. Just to be a five-division world champion, I could retire today and [it would be] the happiest moment… [but I feel] I just started. I hope I’m back again,” said Serrano.
Serrano indeed will be back. She has made history tonight and isn’t done serving up excitement. Serrano could be one the hardest hitting fighters in the sport of boxing, male or female.
Keep on eye out for Serrano to continue to fight on Showtime, as she is very much, “The Real Deal.”
