Though it wasn’t the all out war that the first two fights were, the rivalry between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is finally over, settled by a majority decision victory for Taylor in a much more technical bout by scores of 95-95 and 97-93 (twice). ITRBoxing scored the fight 97-93 for Taylor.

It was clear that both were taking a more thoughtful approach in this one, taking a few rounds to feel each other out, picking up the tempo slightly every round and not giving the other any freebies, something that was not seen in the first two fights, which were two all out wars that created one of the all time great boxing rivalries.

Taylor (25-1, 6 ko) looked about as sharp as she ever has, certainly in the last few years, and used every inch of the ring to move and throw sharp counters, while Serrano (47-4-1, 31 ko) stalked aggressively but carefully. It seemed though that for the majority of the rounds, at that pace, and in that style, that Taylor was just slightly getting the better of the rounds.

Though Taylor is now 3-0 against Serrano, and has done it with two different styles, it feels like anytime these two step in the ring that its anyones fight. And though many great rivalries come with mixed results, the closeness of the fights, particularly the first two which could have gone either way, make this one of the great rivalries of recent times and in all of boxing – Marquez-Vazquez, Barrera-Morales, Pacquiao-Marquez, Golovkin-Canelo, and now Taylor-Serrano.

What comes next for these two legends is unclear. Taylor said post fight that she was unsure of what her plans were next, but that they wouldn’t include Amanda. Serrano for her part also did not speak on what would be next, and though they both looked better on this night than in quite sometime, what a way to go out if they decided now was the time. I think they both still have a lot to offer boxing, but as the great Andre Ward once said, “why can’t I just have one more in me? Why do I gotta empty the tank?”. Regardless of what happens, what we witnessed were two all top greats who have shattered glass ceilings for their fellow female fighters in front of a sold out MSG settle the score, and for that we should all be thankful.

Baumgardner Ekes out Decision Over Miranda

Though she got the nod, Alycia Baumgardner took about as much punishment as she has taken in a fight against Jennifer Miranda (12-1, 1 ko).

Baumgardner (16-1, 7 ko, 1 NC), who has fought just a few rounds in the last few years, did what champions do, digging down and separating herself in the final few rounds of a fight that looked like it could go either way, with Miranda’s unorthodox punch delivery seeming to bother Baumgarder, who had trouble adjusting defensively and took punishment that was frankly surprising for a champion of her caliber to take.

Baumgardner, one of boxings biggest stars, may have shown some ring rust in this one, but says she hopes to stay more active this year and doesn’t want to take any time off after this one. Hopefully, her next performance will more closely match her profile and notoriety in the sport, one earned with electrifying knockouts of Terri Harper and a classic with Mikaela Mayer. But as we saw with Keith Thurman this year and so many others in the past, inactivity is a fighters worst enemy. But like Thurman in a knockout of Brock Jarvis, Baumgardner got the job done and then some, showing flashes of what made her one of boxing’s most exciting champions not long ago.

Shadasia Green Grinds Out Career-Defining Over Savannah Marshall

Shadasia Green finally got the signature win she has so desperately wanted for so long in a close and hard fought split decision victory over Savannah Marshall by scores of 96-93, 95-94, and 96-93 for Marshall. ITR Boxing scored the fight for Green 95-94.

In our second installment of the fight life series back in 2023, Green told me that a fight with Marshall was one of the fights that she felt like could help define her legacy and prove to people that she is among the elite in the sport. She compared that feeling of waiting for her shot at a title to going to the buffet, but having to hold out and starve, knowing that one day that time will come, but not knowing exactly when. Tonight it came, but it sure wasn’t easy. A loss to Franchon Crews-Dezurn at the end of 2023 and managerial issues left her in a difficult spot in the early part of 2024. Some healing and some retooling was needed, and a return to her original coach Barry Porter came soon after. Comeback wins over Natasha Spence and Melinda Wattpool put her in this position, but even in those wins there were still some stones left unturned. But tonight, I think it’s safe to say she went to the buffet.

It was a rugged and physical fight early, further complicated by Thomas Taylor seemingly premature point deduction for holding. But in the fifth, Green severely hurt Marshall and clearly won the back half of the fight closing the show strong in round 10. Now that she has the signature victory she has sought after for so long, I think the best is yet to come for her.

Scotney Dominates in Title Unification

Unified jr. featherweight champion Ellie Scotney (11-0) put on a clinic against Yamileth Mercado (24-4, 5 ko) in the opening bout. Hard to remember a unification bout so dominant for one fighter and it is tough to remember one notable punch landed by Mercado for the entirety of the fight. An absolute clinic, Scotney pitched a shutout giving a boxing lesson both on the front foot and the back foot, and spent the last few rounds knocking on the door of a stoppage with Mercado barely hanging on. Scotney is undeniably moving into the pound for pound conversation, and maybe even was prior to this performance, but this one seals the deal for me. There were moments where she reminded me of Bam Rodriguez with the way she came in and out with her footwork and diversity in her offense. We could be looking at one of the most dominant young champions in all of boxing.