Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano to defend lightweight titles in historic fight in Madison Square Garden

Katie Taylor has cemented her status as the best fighter in women’s boxing with victory over Amanda Serrano in New York.

In a game-changing fight between the no1 and no2 pound-for-pound best in the sport at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, Taylor secured a split decision victory to retain her WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF lightweight titles.

The Irish icon recovered from a torrid fifth round to take back control of an enthralling battle, digging deep to secure the biggest victory of a remarkable career.

Taylor extends her flawless professional record to 21-0 having seen off all challengers, making the sixth successful defence of her undisputed title against her most formidable opponent to date.

Serrano has won world titles across seven different weight divisions, a tally only bettered by the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

The tenacious and hard-hitting Puerto Rican, raised a stone’s throw away from MSG in Brooklyn, had been backed to end Taylor’s reign at the top with the champin’s recent performances deemed to have lost some of their sparkle.

But ‘The Bray Bomber’ produced another stunning performance at 35 in one of the most important fights in the history of the sport.

Taylor landed the crisper shots in the opening rounds before the contest exploded into life in an incredible fifth. Serrano swarmed over Taylor, dazing the champion with a vicious flurry of shots upstairs and to the body, landing 44 punches in all with Taylor seemingly out on her feet.

Taylor returned for the sixth looking to exchange but was left herself vulnerable with Serrano again making her miss and making her pay, taking the lead on the scorecards.

Paying the price for standing and trading in the mid-rounds, Taylor entered the eighth round needing to drastically