Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano Eyes Redemption in Puerto Rico Rematch Against Erika Cruz

Amanda Serrano, the decorated former seven-division world champion, is set to reignite her rivalry with Erika Cruz in a highly anticipated featherweight rematch scheduled for January 3rd in Puerto Rico. The bout, officially announced on Tuesday by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), marks Serrano’s return to the division where she has achieved some of her most significant career milestones.

The upcoming fight is a direct sequel to their closely contested 2023 encounter, which saw Serrano emerge victorious via unanimous decision. That initial clash was a high-octane affair, with both fighters combining to unleash a staggering 1,917 punches over the course of 10 two-minute rounds. This time, however, the rematch will feature 10 three-minute rounds, a rule change designed to potentially amplify the intensity and action within the ring.

"Every time I step into the ring, I fight for all women, for equality, and for Puerto Rico," Serrano stated in a press release issued by MVP. "Getting to fight three-minute rounds in a unified world title defense in front of my people will be one of the proudest moments of my career. When I got injured last March, I promised I’d come back to fight in Puerto Rico, and now the moment is finally here."

Serrano also acknowledged Cruz’s willingness to accept the challenge under the new round parameters. "I want to thank Erika Cruz for her choice to face me over [10, three-minute rounds] and for joining me in making this statement for equality in women’s boxing. Together, we are showing all the young girls out there that they can do anything they put their mind to, and that women’s boxers deserve the same opportunities as men. Anyone who saw our first fight knows that this will be an all-out war, and we are ready to make history again."

The January 3rd bout will be Serrano’s first appearance in the ring since her defeat to Katie Taylor in their trilogy fight this past July. That contest, a unanimous decision victory for Taylor, concluded their epic series of battles. While some observers felt Serrano had a legitimate claim to victory in the first two encounters, she adopted a less aggressive strategy in the third fight, ultimately allowing Taylor to secure the win and claim the overall rivalry with a 3-0 record.

Serrano’s planned fight in Puerto Rico in December 2023 was unfortunately scuttled at the last minute. She was slated to headline a card alongside Jake Paul, but was forced to withdraw just moments before her scheduled fight against Nina Meinke due to an eye injury sustained after chemicals from a hair treatment inadvertently entered her eyes.

Since her first fight against Serrano, Erika Cruz has maintained an active fight schedule, compiling a record of three wins and one split draw. Notably, she captured the WBA junior featherweight title with a majority decision victory over Mayerlin Rivas, further solidifying her credentials as a top-tier competitor.

Amanda Serrano has had a professional boxing career that began in 2009. She has won world titles in seven different weight divisions: super flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, and light welterweight.

She holds an impressive record of 46 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 30 of her wins coming by way of knockout. Serrano is known for her aggressive fighting style and her ability to generate significant punching power. Some of her most notable victories have come against opponents like Heather Hardy, Yamileth Mercado, and Daniela Bermudez.

Erika Cruz, on the other hand, started her professional boxing career in 2016. She has a record of 17 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 3 of her wins coming by knockout. Cruz is known for her technical skills and her ability to adapt her fighting style to different opponents. Her victory over Mayerlin Rivas to win the WBA junior featherweight title was a significant achievement in her career.

The first fight between Serrano and Cruz was a highly competitive and entertaining battle. Serrano won by unanimous decision, but the fight was closely contested, with both fighters landing significant punches. The judges’ scorecards read 97-93, 98-92, and 99-91 in favor of Serrano.

The fight was notable for the high volume of punches thrown by both fighters. Serrano threw a total of 962 punches, landing 236, while Cruz threw a total of 955 punches, landing 158. The fight was also significant because it was one of the first women’s boxing matches to be scheduled for 10 two-minute rounds, rather than the traditional 10 two-minute rounds.

The upcoming rematch between Serrano and Cruz is expected to be another highly competitive and entertaining fight. Both fighters are in their prime, and they have a history of engaging in exciting battles. The decision to increase the round length to three minutes is expected to make the fight even more action-packed.

The fight has significant implications for the featherweight division. Serrano is currently ranked as the number one featherweight in the world by most boxing organizations, while Cruz is ranked in the top five. The winner of the fight will likely be considered the undisputed featherweight champion.

The fight also has broader implications for women’s boxing. Serrano has been a vocal advocate for equality in women’s boxing, and she has used her platform to call for women’s boxing matches to be scheduled for the same length as men’s boxing matches. The decision to schedule the rematch between Serrano and Cruz for 10 three-minute rounds is a significant step in that direction.

The fight is expected to generate significant interest from boxing fans around the world. Serrano is one of the most popular and recognizable fighters in women’s boxing, and her fights are always highly anticipated. Cruz is also a popular fighter, and she has a large following in her native Mexico.

The fight is expected to be broadcast on a major sports network, and it is likely to attract a large television audience. The fight will also be streamed online, making it accessible to fans around the world.