After it all ended on Saturday in Liverpool, England, Katie Taylor breathed a sigh of relief. Firuza Sharipova wasn’t the biggest or hardest boxing match of her career, but she presented a different kind of problem.
Firuza is the last man Taylor needs to get past before she can get back with her potential shot into history. So when her hand went up at the unanimous decision, Taylor knew what was coming next.
She closed the deal, winning the fight in December to set the stage for a potential big battle with Amanda Serrano in 2022.
On Saturday in Tampa, Florida, Serrano will try to complete his part by getting past the final hurdle against Taylor, a light match against Miriam Gutierrez.
“I’m more worried about this game than usual because I know it’s the last hurdle before a lot of big fights next year,” Taylor told ESPN on Monday. “And throughout the fight week, people just kept talking about the fight with Amanda Serrano.
“So I know I just have to get through this fight and here we are, talking about possibly the biggest showdown in women’s boxing.”
After Taylor’s victory, conversations about a future Serrano fight immediately became more serious. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Madison Square Garden as a possible venue, calling it “the biggest match of all time in women’s boxing.”
One of Serrano’s promoters, boxer Jake Paul, influencer, told ESPN that there were discussions about a potential seven-figure wallet for the fight against Taylor. Paul sees a potential matchup against Taylor, ESPN’s No. 1 boxer and undisputed 20-0 lightweight champion, as a match that could raise the bar’s attention. female fighters, as well as increasing the respect and attention the sport receives moving forward.
“When I turned pro 5 years ago, I thought we were earning pennies compared to our male counterparts, and here we are, having a conversation about a seven-wallet numbers for the next game,” Taylor said. “That in itself is amazing. And I don’t think anyone in women’s boxing would dream that we could make this kind of money.
“I think this is huge for the sport.”
Before a potential blockbuster battle can happen, however, Serrano needs to beat Gutierrez in Paul’s rematch with Tyron Woodley. Serrano, ESPN’s £3 female boxer, has had fights like this for years. She won titles in weight class after weight class, setting a 41-1-1 record with 30 knockouts.
The 33-year-old has experienced a lot of pressure, but perhaps never in a situation like this. She’s on the verge of a moment where a lot can happen, and the kind of career opportunities that could skyrocket if she beats Gutierrez.
“Every war, I have to take care of the business,” says Serrano. “The pressure is on me because right now I’m one of the big names and the face of women’s boxing and these women, they recently got into a fight and put on an awesome fight. emperor, so the pressure is huge.
“I have to make sure that I go out on the pitch and perform to the best of my ability and continue to be in good form.”
Fighting Gutierrez was an important step forward for Serrano, something a bit challenging in her career. In three career fights at lightweight, Serrano is 3-0 with three knockouts, but Serrano says she prefers to fight at 126 pounds.
Jumping back up to 135 pounds in preparation for one final fight with Taylor changed her approach to training. For the first time in his career, Serrano hired a nutritionist, looking to maintain his pace while adding the right kind of strength.
The dietitian cooked all of her dinners during this camping period and recommended that she drink at least two glasses of protein a day, while also increasing her runs and sprints to boost her stamina. aunt.
Serrano consumed a lot of chicken, beef and seafood along with sweet potatoes and for the first time in her career prepared as many vegetables as what a nutritionist would prepare her. This is a unique challenge because Serrano is extremely averse to carrots.
Her older sister, Cindy, a boxing world champion who has cooked for Serrano in some of her camps, advised the dietitian how she could feed Serrano them.
“[Cindy said] just make sure it’s cooked in rice or cooked with chicken and she’ll eat it,” says Serrano. So I ate carrots. I was like, OK, maybe my eyesight will get better. “
Although she only eats carrots as part of her meal plan, the weight gain allows her to have one of her favorite foods – chocolate milkshakes – more often.
However, it is a process that requires balance. The last few times Serrano fought at 135 (and the first time she fought at 140 pounds), she didn’t like how her body looked or felt. This time around, while she’s not entirely enthusiastic about making the change from 126 pounds to 135 permanent, everything else is where she wants it to be.
“I feel stronger. I feel faster. When I fight at 135 pace when I win the title, I’m so sluggish, I don’t feel great,” Serrano said.
“This weight, I feel fast. Feel strong and I’m just ready.”
Serrano knew she needed to not only win but also prove she belonged in the 135-pound weight class. Because if she beats Gutierrez, Serrano knows what awaits. That is likely to happen with Taylor and a major event and Madison Square Garden.
“It would be a big deal,” Serrano said. “Hands down right is the biggest women’s fight ever.”
