On April 30, Brooklyn’s Amanda Serrano will take on Katie Taylor, the top female boxer in the world, at Madison Square Garden.
It will be the first time two females have headlined the main event at the Garden.
Despite being one of the biggest names in boxing after a decade in the sport, Serrano finds the interest in her upcoming fight against Taylor a bit overwhelming.
“I’m not used to all of this. Interviews, media, it’s something totally new for me,” said Serrano. “I’m so used to just training, concentrating on fighting.”
Serrano is focused on making history at the Garden.
“I’m super honored to share the ring with Katie Taylor. She’s a great champion. She’s an undisputed champion, undefeated champion,” Serrano said. “Pound for pound, the best female fighters fighting each other at a big venue.”
In 44 fights over the last decade, Serrano won 42 — including 30 knockouts. She has one loss and one draw, as well.
The Puerto Rico-born and Brooklyn-raised fighter — nicknamed “The Real Deal” — is looking forward to seeing her name on the marquee in her hometown.
“It’s gonna be something, something extraordinary. It’s gonna be something cool, but you know, I don’t let that get to my mind,” Serrano said. “I just have to defeat Katie Taylor. That’s my motive. That’s what I have to do.”
Taylor who’s from Ireland, lives and trains in Connecticut. So Serrano hopes to be the hometown favorite.
“Yeah, Brooklyn, we go hard. That’s what I’m planning to do: go out there and just have Madison Square Garden full of a whole bunch of Nuyoricans,” said Serrano with a laugh.
Serrano has also wrestled and competed in Mixed Martial Arts. She says MMA offered more money and exposure to female fighters, but says this is best time to be a female boxer. The attention to this fight, despite the distractions, means everything to the sport.
“That’s inspiring women. I hope young girls, they can just see this and be able to want to do it and do it for themselves,” said Serrano.
To get that kind of response and more headline bouts, Serrano knows she and Taylor have to make it a great fight.