Katie Taylor edges out Amanda Serrano in controversial decision - ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — Katie Taylor retained her undisputed women's lightweight championship with a controversial and unpopular unanimous decision over Amanda Serrano on Friday night at AT&T Stadium.

The fight was a return bout of their magnificent 2022 encounter that headlined Madison Square Garden that Taylor won by narrow split decision. It was the first time two women headlined at the historic arena, as both earned seven-figure paydays for the encounter, a first in women's boxing.

Friday's rematch was one of the most highly anticipated fights in the history of women's boxing. Just like their first encounter, two of the best pound-for-pound women in boxing delivered a battle that thrilled the crowd.

And just like their initial meeting, the result ended in controversy. Though most of the crowd — and the stats — seemed to favor Serrano, all three judges scored it 95-94 in favor of Taylor.

«This is an amazing moment again for women's boxing, and we put on a show,» Taylor said. «We put on a performance again for everybody, and just thank God for another amazing night.»

Fighting out of Dublin, Ireland, Taylor was coming off a majority decision win over Chantelle Cameron last November when she reclaimed the undisputed women's light welterweight championship. Cameron handed Taylor the first loss of her professional career in May 2023, and it appeared that Serrano was close to handing Taylor her second.

However, the judges didn't see it that way

«I knew it was going to be a little shady, but listen, I came here, I chose to be great,» Serrano said. «I went up three divisions. I lost. I dared to be great tonight, and I went up three divisions. I'm the featherweight champion of the world, and I want to be great.»

Serrano, 36,