Taylor and Serrano Clash Over Length of Rounds in Trilogy Showdown
The “Taylor and Serrano argue over length of rounds” debate heats up ahead of MSG blockbuster
There’s a chill in the New York summer air—and it’s not from the air conditioning inside Madison Square Garden.
As Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano faced off for the third time in what’s become one of the most storied rivalries in women’s boxing history, tension crackled like static. The Irish icon and the Puerto Rican powerhouse aren’t just fighting for titles anymore—they’re sparring over principle, legacy, and the very structure of women’s boxing itself.
The upcoming bout, scheduled for 11 July at the iconic MSG, will see Taylor defend her undisputed light-welterweight titles. But outside the ring, a different kind of battle has already begun. And it’s all about the rounds.
Taylor and Serrano argue over length of rounds—and who calls the shots
Amanda Serrano, never one to hold back, came armed with more than just words. At the pre-fight press conference, she wore a boxing headguard to the face-off—a clear jab at Taylor, who Serrano claims deliberately headbutted her during their previous encounters.
“We shook on it,” Serrano said, referencing an earlier agreement to fight 12 three-minute rounds, in line with men’s championship bouts. “If you roll the tapes, we shook on it. But when it came time to sign the contract, she didn’t follow through.”
It’s a subject Serrano has championed for years. A believer in equality, she’s long pushed for women’s fights to match the length and intensity of men’s. Last year, she fought Danila Ramos in a landmark 12-round, three-minute-per-round contest—the first of its kind. The WBC refused to sanction the fight, and Serrano was stripped of her belt for pushing the boundaries.
Still, she believes it’s a hill worth climbing.
“If you have an extra minute, you know it won’t go your way,” she told Taylor, challenging her to prove otherwise.
Taylor stays composed but firm: “I’m in the driver’s seat”
Katie Taylor, ever the ice to Serrano’s fire, didn’t bite. But she didn’t back down either. The 38-year-old, who narrowly edged Serrano in both of their previous meetings, stood her ground, both figuratively and literally.
“I think as a matter of principle, the challenger shouldn’t be dictating the terms of the fight,” she said, calm but unwavering. “I’m 2-0 in this rivalry. I’m in the driver’s seat.”
That comment alone raised eyebrows. Taylor has rarely been the one to throw verbal punches, often choosing to let her fists do the talking. But this time, she wasn’t pulling any either.
“Amanda needs this fight more than I do. I’ve had the big fights. There’s a queue of fighters lining up for a shot. This fight is for her legacy more than mine.”
No handshake, no nod—just needle
Though their previous press conferences were respectful affairs, the latest edition had more bite. Serrano’s wide-eyed stare and Taylor’s smirk set the tone. When the two women finally stood face to face, the silence between them said more than any of their interviews had.
There was no handshake. No respectful nod. Just the heat of unfinished business.
It’s a stark contrast to the narrative that’s often surrounded their rivalry. Until now, both fighters acknowledged mutual respect, even as they swapped leather in the ring. But that tone has shifted. With the stakes now more personal than professional, the tension is palpable.
A clash of styles—and philosophies
Beyond the barbs, the real fight is philosophical. Serrano argues that the current two-minute, 10-round format of women’s boxing limits the sport’s potential. Knockouts are rarer. Strategy shifts. Pacing changes. In her eyes, equal time means equal opportunity.
Taylor, however, doesn’t see it that way. In fact, she dismissed Serrano’s 12×3 fight against Ramos as “boring.”
“The point of three-minute rounds was to show people there’d be more knockouts,” Taylor said. “How many did you get in that fight? Zero.”
Ouch.
It’s a brutal take, but one that underlines Taylor’s stance. For her, the drama, the pace, and the excitement of women’s boxing doesn’t need to mirror the men’s blueprint to earn respect.
Who really won in Texas?
As if the rounds debate wasn’t enough, the conversation took another sharp turn toward their second fight—the November 2023 rematch in Texas. Taylor won on points, just like their 2022 classic, but Serrano has never accepted the decision.
“If you watch those fights, you can clearly see I won,” Serrano claimed.
Taylor scoffed. “It’s ridiculous, really. It’s insane that she thinks that. I’m 2-0, and that’s the reality.”
Still, the numbers don’t always tell the full story. Their first meeting was hailed as one of the greatest women’s fights of all time. The second, though tighter, carried the same energy. And this third bout—likely the final chapter—has all the makings of a modern boxing epic.
More than titles, it’s about legacy
For all their differences, both fighters agree on one thing: this trilogy will leave a mark. Not just on their records, but on the sport itself.
Win or lose, Taylor’s place in the pantheon of greats is secure. Her resume is unmatched. But for Serrano, this fight could solidify her own standing—and maybe spark lasting change in how women’s boxing is structured.
It’s not just about belts anymore. It’s about being heard.
Final thoughts as July 11 looms
As the lights begin to flicker on at MSG and the days tick down, the narrative surrounding “Taylor and Serrano argue over length of rounds” will only intensify. Both fighters are digging in—not just in training camps, but in public forums. And while fans eagerly await another all-action classic, there’s a deeper, more lasting story being written beneath the surface.
Taylor and Serrano aren’t just fighting for glory. They’re fighting for the future of their sport.
And come 11 July, under the Garden’s bright lights, only one will walk away with her hand raised.
But they’ll both, in their own ways, have left a legacy.
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