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"I had to knock everything out": Katie Taylor (right) wins on points against Amanda Serrano
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JASON SZENES/EPA
In the duel between the two most successful boxers in the world, Irish Katie Taylor achieved something special on Sunday night in New York: The 35-year-old won the first main fight between two women in front of 19,187 fans in a sold-out Madison Square Garden against Amanda Serrano (Puerto Rico). in the 140-year history of the arena.
By winning points after ten rounds (96-93, 97-93, 94-96), Taylor successfully defended her WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight titles.
"I had to bang it out, put on a career-defining performance," said the 2012 Olympic champion after a fight that, if she has her way, shouldn't be forgotten anytime soon: "People will definitely be talking about me and Amanda for years to come speak Serrano."
Brooklyn native Serrano took Taylor down in the fifth round, but the defending champion kept fighting and had the momentum on her side in the final rounds.
She remains undefeated even after 21 professional fights.
First loss in ten years
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For 33-year-old Serrano, who was the first female boxer to collect world titles in seven different weight classes and had moved up two weight classes for the duel, it was the first defeat since 2012. »Women can sell, women can fight, and we have put on an amazing show," she said.
Both boxers promised a rematch immediately afterwards.
"Let's do it again, Amanda," Taylor said during her victory interview.
"Whenever she wants," her opponent replied.
sak/sid/Reuters/AP
