Amanda Serrano, a "true" champion 2:07
(CNN) --
For the first time in its 140-year history, two female boxers will headline Madison Square Garden as undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor takes on seven-division champion Amanda Serrano on Saturday. .
"I think this is one of those fights that makes history. Man or woman, the sport hasn't seen a fight like this before," Taylor, 35, told CNN Sport's Don Riddell.
"I feel like after Saturday night, people are going to talk about me and Amanda Serrano for years."
The "World's Most Famous Arena" will be a fitting venue for a match between the best in the world;
both ESPN and DAZN have Taylor ranked first and Serrano ranked second pound-for-pound.
This will be boxing's first fight between the No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound fighters since 2008, when Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez.
The fight will be televised exclusively on DAZN beginning at 7:30 pm ET.
A 2012 Olympic gold medalist (20-0, 6 knockouts), Taylor is putting his WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC and The Ring lightweight titles on the line.
Serrano, 33 (42-1-1, 30 knockouts), has won world titles in seven weight classes ranging from 115 to 140 pounds (52 to 63 kg).
Last year he successfully defended his WBO and WBC featherweight titles.
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"We are two great champions in our prime and it's going to be an incredible fight," Taylor said.
"I think stylistically we could do very, very well together. Obviously she's a very, very aggressive fighter and so am I. So I think it's going to be a very, very exciting fight. I can't wait for it to happen."
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, undisputed world lightweight champion Katie Taylor, challenger Amanda Serrano and Jake Paul of MVP pose at the press conference announcing their fight at Madison Square Garden.
Know your worth
There was a time when Taylor thought this matchup would never happen.
It had previously been set for May 2, 2020, but was postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic.
When it came time to reschedule, both Taylor and Serrano decided to fight for higher pay, further delaying the match.
"Clearly you know your worth when you're able to fill arenas and stadiums. We're both in a position where we're able to do it, and not just fill a stadium, but fill Madison Square Garden, which is very very special," Taylor said.
Taylor and Serrano are photographed before the start of fight week atop the Empire State Building in New York on April 26, 2022.
In January, Jake Paul confirmed to MMA Hour that both boxers would earn seven figures for the match.
In 2021, the Puerto Rican Serrano, who lives in Brooklyn, signed with Paul's company, Most Valuable Promotions, which is co-promoting the fight with Matchroom Sport.
A long-time pioneer in the sport, securing her own paycheck isn't enough for Taylor: She wants her success to start spreading to the rest of women's boxing.
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"I feel like we've covered a lot of ground in the last couple of years when it comes to pay and bags, but I still feel like we've got a long way to go," he told CNN.
"It is not good that Amanda and I are the only ones who receive the big salaries, but that has to affect the other fighters as well and I hope that happens."
Taylor, left, and Firuza Sharipova battle it out during the undisputed lightweight champion title match at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England.
Pioneers
Taylor and Serrano are credited with the recent rise in popularity of women's boxing.
Since she turned pro in 2016, Taylor has seen big changes in her sport.
"When I turned pro six years ago, it was very, very unusual to see a women's fight on a card, but right now you see women's fights on every boxing card and you're recognizing female fighters as household names as well, which is absolutely amazing. Taylor said.
"I think for the first time people are seeing the best in women's boxing. They're seeing the best against the best and just the skill that goes into it."
Taylor is pictured during a public workout before Saturday's fight against Serrano.
Serrano also appears during a public workout before Saturday's fight.
As a child, Taylor was inspired by Christy Martin and Deidre Gogarty to represent her in the ring.
Now, being at the forefront of her sport, Taylor recognizes that she is an inspiration to young female boxers.
"It's definitely a huge responsibility, but it's also a privilege for me. You want to have this influence and influence is an absolute privilege. I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be in this position," said Taylor, who grew up in Bray, near Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland.
"When I started boxing at 10 or 11 years old, there weren't any female boxers in the country, and when I walk into any boxing gym in Ireland, they are all full of female boxers, and the talents I see are superstars in the making. That, to me It's the most satisfying thing about this trip."
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