Despite her smile, the pain on Amanda Serrano’s face was evident. The Puerto Rican champion faced a second loss to Katie Taylor in their much-anticipated rematch. This bout came two years after their electrifying showdown at Madison Square Garden. Unlike their first encounter, which headlined the event, this time the champions fought as part of the co-main event of the Jake Paul–Mike Tyson card at Cowboys Stadium. For boxing enthusiasts, the match lived up to expectations, delivering another thrilling contest. With 50 million households tuning in live to watch the fight, the bout became the most watched live women’s combat event in history.

As with their first meeting, the rematch’s result surprised many. While the first fight ended in a split decision loss for Serrano, the second concluded with a unanimous decision in favor of Taylor. Fans and analysts alike felt Serrano had done enough to level the score. Statistics seemed to support this perspective, adding fuel to post-fight discussions.

In a post-match interview with Ariel Helwani, Serrano mentioned the headbutt by Taylor during the fight. Later, she echoed the sentiments on social media as well. Though she eventually retracted her comments and congratulated Taylor, her initial statements sparked debate. Claressa Shields felt such remarks might detract from the progress women’s boxing has made.

Claressa Shields Weighs In

In an interview with TMZ, the two-time Olympic gold medalist addressed the controversy, expressing concern that the focus on headbutting ‘overshadowed’ Taylor’s victory. “Everybody’s talking about the women’s boxing match that they had, but all they keep saying is, Oh, it was the headbutts. Like, nobody’s talking about how great the fight actually was, yeah, and how competitive it was,” she said.

Praising Katie Taylor’s tactical approach, Shields highlighted the Irish boxer’s exceptional technical skills, including her ability to feint and move effectively in the ring. Claressa Shields also critiqued Amanda Serrano‘s performance, pointing out the need for better head movement and defense against counterpunches.

The undisputed middleweight champion highlighted, “She (Amanda Serrano) didn’t move her head and didn’t really get out of the way of the counterpunching.” Speculation about a third fight between Serrano and Taylor is already circulating. Shields opined that Serrano would need to make significant changes to her training and strategies to improve her chances in a potential trilogy.

Following the fight, Serrano shared an Instagram post showcasing a severe injury above her right eye. Several prominent names from the boxing world joined in lauding her for her courageous performance.

The Bigger Picture in Women’s Boxing

While the discussion over Taylor’s alleged headbutt continues, the physical toll of the sport is undeniable. Cuts and bruises are part of a boxer’s journey, and Amanda Serrano’s initial comments, while controversial, don’t overshadow her sportsmanship. She later acknowledged her lapse in judgement, stating, “Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle, and you say things you shouldn’t say. I’m not one to ever disrespect an opponent, and these were never my intentions to Katie.”

Ultimately, the contributions of fighters like Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor, and Claressa Shields have significantly elevated women’s boxing. Their dedication and skill have brought the sport to new heights, a legacy that won’t be diminished anytime soon.

Do you think boxers should be more mindful of their words, both inside and outside the ring? Share your thoughts in the comments below.