Taylor vs. Serrano | Stevenson vs. Valdez: The biggest fight in women’s boxing history is set as Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor take the iconic stage of Madison Square Garden to determine who really is the pound-for-pound best. At the forefront of this historic event are famed promoters Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul. Plus, we get a clash of undefeated featherweight rockstars between Shakur Stevenson and Óscar Valdez in a fight that shouldn’t be overlooked.
-150 PUR Amanda Serrano (42-1-1: 30 KOs): 5’5”, 133-pounds – 65.5” reach – 33 y/o
7-Division Champion, NYS Golden Gloves Winner, Beat High-Level Competition, Hasn’t Lost in 10-years
+115 IRE Katie Taylor (20-0: 6 KOs): 5’5”, 135-pounds – 65” reach – 35 y/o
2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, Undisputed Lightweight Champion, Undefeated, Unafraid of Fighting on Big Stages
WHO WILL WIN?
The Puerto Rico-born and Brooklyn, NY-raised boxer, Serrano, is moving up in weight to face her toughest challenge yet, an Irish war monger with speed and heart by the name of Katie Taylor. Serrano is the smoother boxer of the two with slicing hooks that cut to the midsection and head of her opponents in beautiful harmony. In the opposing corner is a powerful Taylor who has been in many wars and isn't afraid of a slugfest. Taylor possesses a thunderous right hand, quick north and south footwork and a granite chin. It will be very difficult for Serrano to get Taylor out of there, but Serrano would be wise to avoid the clinch and unleash her fury of hooks in opportune moments. Before she unleashes said hooks, Serrano must use her long stinging jab to score while remaining mostly unscaved. This cat and mouse game may cause Taylor to attempt to bully her way into a scrap by grabbing, clinching and grinding her way into a nasty fight. The biggest hole, albeit small, in Taylors game, is her susceptibility to a body shot from a southpaw fighter (Serrano). It will be interesting to see how Serrano deals with a real elite opponent who will no doubt be her toughest test to date. In the end I see Serrano getting her hand raised because of her wits, pure boxing skill and her (normally untested) toughness. Serrano Wins.
WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? -240 YES, +180 NO
This is going to be an epic battle between Serrano and Taylor who in 64 combined fights, only have one loss. It’s not too often I throw around the phrase an immovable object meets an unstoppable force, but that is exactly what this fight is. Both women have been on a trajectory for each other for about three years and it’s going to be a special moment when the first bell sounds. With all that being said, neither fighter has it in their DNA to back down from a challenge, especially in this case to determine who’s the baddest woman on the planet. I can’t picture either fighting not making it to the final bell – compromised or not. This Fight Will Go The Distance.
-835 USA Shakur Stevenson (17-0: 9 KOs): 5’8”, 130-pounds – 68” reach – 24 y/o
2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, Undefeated, One of The Best Defensively Sound Fighters in History
+500 MEX Óscar Valdez (30-0: 23 KOs): 5’6”, 130-pounds – 66” reach – 31 y/o
2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, Undefeated, A Strong Fighter’s Spirit That Makes Him a Fan-Favorite
WHO WILL WIN?
On paper, Stevenson-Valdez is a great example of two elite, young boxers meeting right at the forefront of their prime fighting years. This is a big-time clash of styles. Stevenson is one of the best in the business at measuring range and avoiding any consecutive significant strikes. Valdez on the other hand, is a warrior at his core. The Mexican-born fighter isn’t shy of taking a shot to give one. The Newark, NJ native has shown such maturity and patience at the young age of 24, but he’s also never faced a fighter of Valdez’s gamesmanship. Stevenson draws a lot of comparisons to the legendary Floyd Mayweather because of his push and pull style of countering – similarly to a fencer. Stevenson has a beautiful lead hook that acts as a measuring paw, but then quickly turns into a snapping hammer. It’s the biggest test for each of these talented fighters as someone’s “0” has got to go. It will be interesting to see how Stevenson handles Valdez’s aggressiveness, but I expect the defensive savant to weather the storm and inflict enough damage to win pretty handedly. Stevenson Wins.
WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? -195 YES, +155 NO
Valdez’s last fight against Robson Conceição, a tough opponent and Olympic gold medalist, is a great sign for bettors wondering if Valdez can make it to the final bell against the betting favorite, Stevenson. Valdez was being picked apart in the Conceição fight, but showed just enough moxy and grit to win via a razor-thin victory. Though I got Stevenson to win this fight outright, I also see Valdez biting down on his mouthpiece and surviving Stevenson’s attacks at all cost and making it to the final bell as the Olympic gold medalist hasn’t tasted defeat in 30 professional fights. Fight Goes The Distance.