Katie Taylor will defend her undisputed super lightweight championship belts in a trilogy bout against Amanda Serrano on July 11.
However, Irish fans will have to wait for the chance to see a hometown fight, with Madison Square Garden in New York set to host the event and Taylor’s dream of fighting in Croke Park put on hold once more.
The event, which will headline an all-female card and be promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, will be streamed live on Netflix.
“It’s only fitting that during Women’s History Month that we are able to announce this must-see trilogy between two of the greatest female athletes of all time, on an all-women’s card,” Jake Paul told ESPN.
“Unlike many new and old incumbents in boxing, MVP has, does and will always champion women as equals to men, treating them with supreme respect and we will never compromise on those values,” MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian added.
“This all-women’s card is not only a testament to how far the sport has come but also the beginning of an even greater push from MVP to elevate the next generation of female fighters.”
Taylor has beaten Serrano in their previous two fights, winning a split decision in the first at Maddison Square Garden, and taking a unanimous decision in the rematch at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas as the main support for Paul’s fight with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
That fight was also streamed on Netflix and shattered records with 74 million average viewers globally.
“After we finished the fight on November 15, Netflix came to us and said they wanted to do more with Most Valuable Promotions,” Bidarian told ESPN.
“The one thing they were absolutely clear on is that they wanted to see this trilogy and we came back to them with the idea of doing an all-women’s event that would really uplift the women of the sport on their platform with over 300 million global subscribers. They bought in immediately.”
Taylor, whose record now stands at 24 wins and one loss with six knockouts, welcomed the announcement, saying; “I’m 2-0 against Amanda but it’s obviously a very special rivalry that delivers every time we step in the ring, so I think it’s only right that we have the trilogy.
“The atmosphere for the first fight there was amazing and I’m sure it won’t be any different this time around.”
While Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) has gone on the record with her desire for the fight to be held over 12 three-minute rounds, agreement could not be reached on that duration and, like the first two legs of the trilogy, it will take place over 10 two-minute rounds.
“I promised my fans they would see this trilogy, and I’m incredibly grateful that we get to complete our journey where it all began – at Madison Square Garden, live on Netflix for the world to see,” she said.
“I’m disappointed that Katie Taylor did not keep her word and make the trilogy 12 three-minute rounds, equal to the men.
“This is a record-setting payday for both of us, and we owed it to the fans to honour the handshake deal we made. She didn’t. But make no mistake, every time we share the ring, it is war, and I know Friday, July 11, will be the greatest yet because I will finally get the official ‘W’ I deserve.”