Katie Taylor has raised the temperature ahead of Friday’s trilogy bout in New York against longtime rival Amanda Serrano.
The Bray woman will seek to score a clean sweep of victories against multiple weight world champion Serrano inside Madison Square Garden, following on from his unanimous decision win in Texas last November – which itself came more than two years after Taylor also scored a win, this time by split decision, in their first meeting in Madison Square Garden in April 2022.
Their second fight last year, which was the most-watched bout in women’s boxing history due to it being broadcast live on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul clash that was streamed live on Netflix, saw Serrano accuse Taylor of repeatedly headbutting her throughout – an accusation that the Irishwoman denied.
And ahead of their third meeting this weekend, Taylor has called on Serrano’s team to pipe down.
“I mean I have my own opinion of the stuff Amanda has been saying and the fact is I am two and 0 against her,” Taylor said this week.
“Opinions are opinions. But facts are facts. I guess I am just sick and tired of the whining and complaining from the other team. Just the complaints about the decision, the headbutts, whatever. The only thing that matters is that I am two and 0 against her and I plan to be three and 0 Friday night.”
Taylor will seek to defend her super lightweight titles against Serrano – and in an unusual move, will make her ringwalk first on Friday night, followed by the challenger who is signed to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, who are producing the event.
“Obviously all these belts are still on the line,” Taylor said.
“And I know that I coming out on stage first here. I am being announced first in the ring on Friday night as well. But this is an MVP show. I don’t really care about that kind of stuff. My mindset doesn’t change. This stuff is just … nonsense really. I just step in there with a champion’s mindset. I am as hungry as ever. And this is just an MVP show. I know that everyone behind MVP are against me. But that’s okay.”
The press conference stage is not Taylor’s natural habitat; that comes on Friday. And to borrow a cliche, the Irishwoman says that she intends to do her talking in the ring.
“I absolutely hate these things to be honest,” she said.
“I’m not a natural trash talker and I don’t think it’s trash talking. But I just responded to what has been said. And enough is enough of the nonsense and all the complaining and whining about the decisions. I don’t mind speaking my mind when I have to. To be headlining such a huge card and an all-female card is an absolute privilege. It’s an amazing situation. These are the kind of nights I actually dreamt of as a kid. To be in this position, to headline a big show like this full of these amazing women behind me.”
