Why Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight is postponed: Injury update derails Taylor-Serrano 2
Katie Taylor’s blockbuster Dublin Homecoming vs Amanda Serrano has been shelved.
Undisputed lightweight champion Taylor and Serrano, who holds all major featherweight belts, were set to repeat their 2022 thriller on May 20 in the Irish capital.
However, on Tuesday February 28, rapidly circulating rumors of Serrano’s injury were confirmed, forcing promoters Matchroom and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) to change plans.
Here’s what we know so far about the Taylor vs. Serrano 2 postponement.
MORE: Female pound-for-pound rankings: The 12 best female boxers in the world right now
Why was Taylor vs. Serrano 2 postponed?
A joint statement from Matchroom and Jake Paul’s MVP vehicle read: “Due to an injury to Amanda Serrano, Matchroom Boxing and Most Valuable Promotions regret to announce that the fight between Taylor and Serrano II will be held on May 20th in Dublin will not take place as planned.
“Teams are in discussions to reschedule the fight. More details will follow in due course.”
What is Amanda Serrano’s injury?
The exact nature of Serrano’s injury has not been disclosed.
The Puerto Rican star survived a bloody match with Erika Cruz in their previous match at the Hulu Theater in New York largely unscathed, so the rematch with Taylor was announced in the ring afterwards.
Serrano’s thriller against Cruz was her second fight since losing to Taylor after defeating Sarah Mahfoud in the undercard between Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker in Manchester, United Kingdom last September.
Both fights took place at the 126-pound featherweight limit.
MORE: Chantelle Cameron praises pound-for-pound boxing star Amanda Serrano ahead of Erika Cruz’s undisputed title fight
Will Katie Taylor Fight May 20th?
The wording of Matchroom and MVP’s statement makes this seem unlikely, given that “discussions about seeking an altered date” take precedence for Taylor vs. Serrano 2.
On the other hand, Taylor has boxed just once since her first fight with Serrano, a wide points win over Karen Carabajal to retain her titles at Wembley Arena last October.
Ring rust could worry the Irish sensation, who turns 37 in July.
Taylor has not competed professionally in her home country, meaning the postponement will bring obvious disappointment.
However, pushing back the date for Taylor vs. Serrano 2 could bring a notable benefit.
Where will Taylor vs. Serrano 2 be held?
While the date and location of the rematch for May 20 and Dublin have been hastily announced, a venue has not been confirmed.
This was because Matchroom’s preferred location, Croke Park, an 82,300 seat outdoor stadium known for hosting the GAA and Gaelic Games in Ireland, was not available on reasonable financial terms.
Eddie Hearn stated that the site fees associated with renting Croke Park, along with a security budget, were prohibitive. One of the reasons for this was Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, which hosted the Rugby Union Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals on 19th and 20th May.
Despite high-profile intervention from Conor McGregor, who offered to make ends meet, the 3Arena remained the most obvious spot for Taylor’s homecoming, although its indoor capacity of 13,000 was obviously underwhelming next to Croke Park’s size.
Hearn said the intention is to attempt to box Taylor at Croke Park later in 2023, possibly against undisputed super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron in September.
Serrano’s withdrawal means it’s theoretically possible the rescheduled date could work better as a stadium fight.
MORE: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 not at Croke Park: New location for 2023 boxing rematch
Who won Taylor vs. Serrano 1?
Taylor and Serrano put on a spectacle to remember when they met for all the marbles at £135 on April 30 last year at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.
Over the course of 10 rounds, the fighters traded in multiple all-action exchanges, with Serrano teetering on Taylor and threatening the champion’s unbeaten professional record.
But Taylor managed to earn a split decision on the scorecards, with Judge Guido Cavalleri scoring 96-93 in her favor and Glenn Feldman 97-93. Benoit Roussel scored the contest 96-94 for Serrano.
There is undoubtedly business still open between two of the finest fighters of an unprecedented generation in women’s martial arts. You just have to wait a little longer to tackle it.