Tyson vs Paul: Katie Taylor narrowly defeats Amanda Serrano on points in epic rematch

Katie Taylor from Ireland faced boos from the crowd after she managed to keep her undisputed light-welterweight title, winning by a debatable decision against Amanda Serrano at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.

In their recent rematch, the duo delivered another thrilling performance, showcasing Serrano's nonstop barrage of punches and Taylor's strategic counterattacks.

During the fourth round, Taylor kept leaning in with her head, which resulted in a deep cut above Serrano's right eye. As the match progressed, the cut reopened, causing blood to stream down Serrano's face.

The 38-year-old lost a point for a headbutt in the eighth round, leading the audience to believe that Serrano had successfully avenged her narrow points defeat from 2022.

However, all three judges awarded the match to Taylor with a score of 95-94.

"I realized it was a fierce battle inside the ring, a true clash," Taylor remarked as she expressed her excitement for the upcoming trilogy match.

"I completely disagreed with the penalty I received. I definitely wasn't playing unfairly. Things can get pretty intense during a match."

The match served as the main support for 58-year-old Mike Tyson's return to the ring against Jake Paul, while Taylor successfully defended her IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, bringing her record to 24 victories and just one loss.

At 36 years old, Serrano, a champion in seven different weight classes, experienced just her third loss in an impressive total of 51 professional bouts.

"I had a feeling that once it was in the hands of the judges, things might get a bit questionable," Serrano mentioned.

Whenever you cut yourself, it stings, and you might even get blood in your eye. She was persistent with her headbutts, but we were aware of that right from the start, during our very first confrontation.

The highly anticipated match was worthy of being the main event, and nearly the entire crowd filled the striking, dome-shaped arena as the boxers made their way to the ring.

With a beaming smile, Serrano soaked in the cheers as she moved gracefully between a group of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Taylor, dressed in black with gold accents, took a more reserved approach during her ring walk. Nevertheless, she clearly enjoyed the moment as she confidently strolled down the path without rushing.

Serrano started off aggressively, landing a powerful left hook in the final moments of the first round that sent Taylor's legs shaking.

Taylor, who hails from Bray, was well aware of the strength of her rival. She had managed to remain standing during an unforgettable fifth round in their initial matchup.

She faced another challenge and started landing combinations in the second round as the fight intensified.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, uncertain about whether he would receive approval to attend the fight due to his earlier criticism of the Tyson-Paul match, observed the event from ringside.

The challenger voiced her concerns to the referee regarding Taylor's frequent holding during their intense fifth round, where both fighters were exchanging punches, with Serrano landing precise hits.

The ringside physician examined Serrano following another head collision in the fifth round, while the audience reacted with surprise at the close-up shown on the big screen.

Serrano bravely pressed on, battling through her impaired vision as she wiped away blood regularly. Taylor focused on the openings in Serrano's defense, throwing powerful left hooks as both fighters abandoned caution and fought fiercely.

In the seventh round, Taylor felt the impact of an uppercut but quickly responded with a two-punch combo. The match lived up to the expectations, and Serrano's fighting spirit captured the admiration of fans who might not have been initially interested in the co-main event.

Following the deduction of points, Taylor kept throwing her punches, and Serrano matched her effort.

Similar to their performance at Madison Square Garden in New York, Taylor and Serrano kept exchanging punches right up until the last moments of the tenth round.

Serrano had a higher punch count than Taylor and was hitting the target more effectively. Over the course of 10 rounds, she connected with 324 punches, surpassing the total number of punches they both threw in their initial match.

Typically, sequels don't usually match the quality of their predecessors. However, despite the high bar set by their first match, Taylor and Serrano once again produced an outstanding performance.

Two years after their initial matchup in New York, both fighters are now earning record-breaking seven-figure salaries and continue to be among the most prominent and sought-after stars in women's boxing.

The tight outcome of the second match and the debates surrounding its result create a perfect backdrop for the trilogy fight, with Taylor expressing support for three-minute rounds in the upcoming bout.

During a week filled with controversy surrounding the main event—marked by Paul's inappropriate comments and Tyson slapping his rival—Taylor and Serrano maintained a professional demeanor and highlighted the positive aspects of boxing.

The aim is that after captivating audiences with 20 thrilling rounds and a rematch shown to millions worldwide on Netflix, the Serrano-Taylor rivalry will encourage a new generation of boxers and enthusiasts.