By Vince D’Writer: The last time Amanda Serrano fought in New York, she made history by participating in the first women’s boxing match to headline at Madison Square Garden, and ten months later, Serrano once again made history in New York by defeating Erika Cruz (15-2, 3 KOs) and becoming the first Puerto Rican boxer to win an undisputed championship.
Serrano entered the bout as the WBC, WBO, and IBF featherweight champion, while Cruz came into the match as the owner of the WBA strap. The stage was set for February 4th at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden as both women would enter the ring as a champion, but only one would exit the squared circle with the undisputed crown.
At the start of the opening round, Serrano came out throwing the jab attempting to go through the motions of a feeling-out process, but Cruz decided to skip that process as she threw a number of overhand rights and lefts. Round 2 set the tone for the remainder of the fight as both boxers stood in the pocket and engaged in multiple exchanges.
Prior to the bout, Amanda Serrano stated when she stepped in the ring with Erika Cruz, she was expecting a blood bath, and in the third round of the fight, her prediction came true. After throwing an overhand right, Cruz stepped back and proceeded to come forward when she clashed heads with Serrano.
Unfortunately for Cruz, as a result of the accidental headbutt, she suffered a significant cut on her forehead. In the 4th round, Serrano went back to the basics as she controlled the round by pressing forward and constantly landing the 1-2 combination.
Cruz came back in the fifth with some effective offense as she started her combinations to the body and finished them up top. Serrano had a moment in the sixth when she landed a solid 1-2 combination that put her opponent on unstable legs. She proceeded to pin Cruz against the ropes and land a flurry of shots, but Cruz was able to survive and make it out of the round.
The intense action resumed in round 7 as both boxers stood in the pocket and threw punches in bunches. Cruz had blood streaming down her face, but she continued to stand her ground and trade shots with Serrano.
In rounds 8 and 9, Amanda Serrano used straight punches to both score, and control the range and distance. She decided to forgo that strategy in the tenth and final round as both fighters stood in the pocket and capped the undisputed match off by providing exciting nonstop toe to toe action.
The undisputed featherweight championship bout between Amanda Serrano and Erika Cruz was an instant classic. Cruz proved she is a true warrior, but in the end, Serrano earned the unanimous decision victory and the undisputed featherweight crown.
The win turned out to be a historic victory as Amanda Serrano (44-2-1, 30 KOs) became the first Puerto Rican boxer to attain the status of undisputed. During her post-fight interview, Serrano was very emotional because winning the undisputed championship was an accomplishment she wanted to achieve for the island of Puerto Rico.
Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano has put together a legendary boxing career, but as crazy as it may sound, the 34-year-old is a boxer who seems to have accomplished everything, but she still has an opportunity to add to her already impressive resume.
The rematch between Amanda Serrano and undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) is set for May 20th in Dublin, Ireland. Serrano has a big opportunity in regards to avenging her split decision loss against Taylor, and she also has a chance to become undisputed simultaneously in two divisions.