Amanda Serrano claims Katie Taylor fight is off, cites reduced purse

Multi-division champion Amanda Serrano has sent out a press release announcing the cancellation of her planned-but-delayed bout with undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor, which was expected to co-headline Matchroom’s Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin card later this year.

Serrano’s (38-1-1, 28 KO) manager had extremely harsh words for Matchroom’s latest offer.

“On four occasions, Amanda has signed on for the fight”, said Serrano’s manager/trainer Jordan Maldonado. “She signed to fight in late 2019 in New York, but Taylor opted to move up in weight. Then we accepted the fight for early 2020 in the same city, but Taylor’s team thought they needed more time to train and it was move to May 2 in England, but then a month and a half later, the COVID-19 pandemic came and it was moved to the 4th of July; all this, accepting a purse not up to par with the magnitude of the fight. But since Amanda wants to make history for Puerto Rico, we happily accepted.”

“Now they’re offering us the fight for August but removing almost 50% of Amanda’s purse. However, they are taking less from Taylor. We understand there is a situation around the world with COVID-19 and there are changes in the boxing platform, but big fights are big fights”, said Maldonado. “Many important fights are delayed until fans can come back to attend the events. If we accept this new offer, we’d be creating a new negative precedent in female boxing, after so many women have worked so hard to heighten the level of the sport.”

Serrano herself believes that “by November or December of last year, those 135-pound division belts would be parading around the streets of my beautiful island of Puerto Rico, but Taylor moved up for one fight and that hurt me, because I dream of historic fights and suddenly they disappear. Currently, I’m being offered a very low purse, as if I was starving to death. Throughout my career, I’ve sacrificed earnings to stay active in boxing, but now my achievements speak for themselves and I’m staying firm.”

The Puerto Rican star is currently riding a 24-fight winning streak dating back to 2012. Recent efforts saw her win super lightweight, super flyweight, and featherweight belts in quick succession.

Matchroom hopes to begin its “Fight Camp” series on July 25th, targeting Chris Jenkins vs. Conor Benn as its inaugural main event. If Serrano is off the table, perhaps Taylor (15-0, 6 KO) could give Delfine Persoon her well-deserved rematch.