KATIE Taylor got an early visit to Madison Square Garden in with Amanda Serrano – albeit it was in its guise as a basketball arena.
The foes will once again throw down in MSG on July 11 despite the record being 2-0 in KT’s favour.
Taylor will turn 39 one week before fight night[/caption]
The Puerto Rican is two years younger but also the naturally smaller woman[/caption]
They famously made history by becoming the first women to headline a PPV card there in April 2022[/caption]
Last month, The Bray Bomber sent a not so subtle message to her doubters through a training post on Instagram.
A clip of her showcasing that she still possesses her trademark hand-speed was captioned ‘Doing what I love never gets old…’
Their trilogy fight will go ahead this summer for a world record pay packet.
The 2012 Olympic champion had hoped to main event in Croke Park later this year, but will now again take on her opponent at the ‘Mecca of boxing’.
The event, promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, will be streamed live on Netflix.
Taylor is ranked No. 2 on ESPN’s pound for pound list and has been undisputed in two weight classes.
The pair’s first clash in April 2022 made history as the first women’s fight to headline MSG, earning global acclaim and winning Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022.
Taylor vs. Serrano was also nominated for Sports Business Journal’s Event of the Year, a testament to the global reach and power of the event.
Their rematch at AT&T Stadium in November 2024, streamed on Netflix, shattered records with 74 million average viewers globally, becoming the most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history.
It was also named the 2024 Women’s Fight of the Year by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Boxing Scene.
A gleeful Taylor said of their looming round three: “I want to thank everyone at Matchroom, MVP and Netflix for getting the trilogy over the line and I can’t wait to headline at MSG again in July.
“I’m 2 and 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.
“The numbers that got to see the last fight in November were incredible so hopefully those people will all want to tune in for the trilogy fight as well and we can deliver another great fight.”
Meanwhile a vengeful Serrano vowed: “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.
“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.
“Headlining an all-female card at MSG, representing both New York and Puerto Rico, is something I never thought would be possible, and it wouldn’t be without Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and MVP’s commitment to elevating women’s boxing.
“I’m proud to stand alongside all the talented women on this card, and I hope our fight inspires young girls everywhere to keep believing in themselves and never stop chasing their dreams.”