Amanda Serrano believes athletes in women's sports should be able to choose the distance they box, and gave up one of her titles because the WBC would not sanction three-minute rounds.Serrano wants a rematch with Katie Taylor, and she says she will knock her out this time even in a two-minute round
by John Dennen, sports journalist
Monday 19 February 2024, UK, 14:44
Amanda Serrano gave up her status as undisputed champion because she felt strongly that female boxers should have the option to fight in two- or three-minute rounds.
Serrano, one of the biggest names in women's boxing, held all four major featherweight titles, but vacated the WBC title because the WBC organization would not sanction women's bouts longer than three-minute rounds.
“Greatness requires sacrifice. I sacrificed one belt,” Serrano said. sky sports.
Amanda Serrano came very close to stopping the brave Heather Hardy in the first round of their world title fight. In the end, Serrano won easily on points.
“It was a difficult decision, but an easy one, if you know what I mean. You don't want to give up what you've worked so hard for. But if they support me, If you didn't, I would have to leave you alone. “
She considers her stance to be an important part of her heritage. “I've done pretty much everything there is to do in the sport of women's boxing,” Serrano said.
“Seven weight world champion. Undisputed champion. Now is the time to open the door for women to enter this sport and help shape the future of women's boxing. If you truly believe in something, take that stance. I believe that there must be.”
“I believe women should have the option to fight in three or two.” [-minute rounds]or 12, 10 [rounds in a contest]no matter how they feel.
“The WBC didn't match that. So I said, 'You know, I have other organizations that support me.'
She hopes more boxers will follow in her footsteps. “I hope so. I took my stance,” Serrano said.
“I believe that, and I hope other women believe that we have a choice. And if they believed that, they would do the same.”
Her argument is that athletes should have the right to choose the distance they box. She wants a rematch with Katie Taylor, and she plans to do 10 two-minute rounds.
“For Katie's sake, if she doesn't want to do three minutes, I'll accept and do two minutes because I think I can knock her out this time!” she declared.
Serrano, who has been a professional boxer for 15 years, will mark her 50th career fight when she faces Nina Meinke in her return bout to Puerto Rico on March 2nd.
In an unusual move, her challenger Meinke has a win bonus and a knockout bonus included in his contract.
“She's going to try to knock me out. It's going to be a good night for women's boxing,” Serrano said.
“We have to make it exciting and I love fights like that. People don't understand. I can box. I can do it if I want to. But I don't want to do it. I like to go in there and have a bloody match.'' That's fun for me.
“I love to give my fans their money's worth. I love to go out and fight. I don't mind getting punched in the face, I don't mind getting punched. Take two of yours, I’ll give you three.’ I’m always going to have an exciting fight. ”
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