Katie Taylor has won ANOTHER classic against Amanda Serrano after a 10-round epic on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard.
Serrano suffered a horrific cut above her right eye from a clash of heads in the first half of the fight. But the pair traded blows in all 10 rounds in another fight of the year contender.
Two years on from their absolute classic at Madison Square Garden, the pair did it all again. Eventually, after plenty of deliberation, the judges all scored the fight 95-94 for Taylor – much to the disgust of fans in attendance who booed the result.
Here’s a round-by-round breakdown from Irish Star’s Rich Jones from ringside at AT&T Stadium in Dallas as it happened including an unofficial rolling scorecard.
Round 1
The fight starts with Serrano on the front foot, but she gets caught with a nice counter hook in the early exchanges. Taylor showcases her hand speed with around 30 seconds to go in the round, landing a nice three-punch combination.
But Serrano rocks Taylor at the end of the round! She lands a big left hand then follows it up with the Irish star unsteady on her feet. That probably sees Serrano snatch the first round.
Verdict: Taylor 9-10 Serrano
(Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Round 2
After being buzzed at the end of round 1, Taylor comes out nicely and lands the best shot of the opening half of the round. But it’s Serrano again fighting on the front foot.
Taylor unloads another nice combination. It was similar to the first round, but this time Taylor avoided getting caught in the final seconds and probably takes the round as a result.
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (19-19)
Round 3
It’s more of the same as Serrano takes the fight to Taylor, who is relying heavily on the left hook to try and counter. This is shaping up just like the first fight, which was an instant classic.
These two just don’t disappoint. It’s another very, very close round but Serrano probably did just enough to take that one, though the judges ringside may not agree.
Verdict: Taylor 9-10 Serrano (28-29)
Round 4
Taylor gets buzzed again! Her legs are a little unsteady early in the round as she walks onto a Serrano punch. But she responds as she always does! She hits Serrano with a big counter as Serrano tries to pile on more pressure.
It’s getting more scrappy but just as fierce as ever as the two trade blows. It’s another close round but one edged by Taylor, who just about had more success despite Serrano landing another big shot on the bell.
The referee also had a word with Taylor for stumbling in and grabbing her opponent. And there’s a twist at the end – Serrano is cut on her right eye and it looks to have been caused by a clash of heads in one of those close exchanges.
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (38-38)
Round 5
Serrano is walking down Taylor and throwing punches right down the middle. She’s starting to take more control of this and backing up Taylor, who can’t find her rhythm.
The pressure is relentless from Serrano, but Taylor is clinching, resetting and landing some smart counter-punches. At the halfway stage she’s landed less punches but she’s had a touch more accuracy.
Another tight round, this one just about for Serrano. It is very tight and how the judges see it is anyone’s guess.
Verdict: Taylor 9-10 Serrano (47-48)
Round 6
The referee has a word with Taylor before the bell to stop holding – “You’re better than that” he tells her. It’s another similar round.
But there’s a break in the middle as the doctor is called to look at the cut on Serrano’s eye. It’s a nasty one. It’s ruled to be an accidental headbutt.
Taylor lands the better of the exchanges, including a big right-hand counter punch. She just about takes it which could be crucial.
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (57-57)
Round 7
What a round! They start off by just meeting in the middle of the ring. Serrano lands a big counter punch, but Taylor fires back and they just exchange big shots.
The crowd is on its feet, and the pace just barely slows despite them getting more tied up as the round wears on. Serrano lands a nice left hand forcing Taylor to cover up, but she responds with a nice counter as per usual.
A nice left-right combination with around 30 seconds left in the round is arguably the best work of the round and probably sees Taylor edge it.
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (67-66)
(Image: Getty Images)
Round 8
More drama! Serrano probably edging the round on workrate as Taylor covers up to protect herself.
Taylor lands another timely combination with around 30 seconds left in the round. But the referee deducts a point right at the end of the round for her persistent use of the head. In such a close fight, that could be vital.
Verdict: Taylor 8-10 Serrano (75-76)
Round 9
The round starts with Taylor being told by the referee “You’d better change something”. And Serrano’s corner calls her “dirty” while speaking to Ariel Helwani.
Either way, the round doesn’t disappoint again. It’s another round contested in the middle of the ring. Taylor probably lands the cleaner punches. We go into the final round all square on my card, how do the judges see it?
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (85-85)
Round 10
Again, it is just incredible stuff. With around 40 seconds left in the round, Serrano lands some nice upper cuts and seems to get throguh Taylor’s guard.
The fight ends with a huge left hook by Serrano then Taylor landing a left hook and buzzing Serrano. Taylor piles on the pressure as Serrano covers up in the corner. Does that just steal the round and the fight.
Verdict: Taylor 10-9 Serrano (95-94)
