Blood, Sweat & History

The stakes for this fight were monumental. Their first meeting in 2022 made history as the first women’s bout to headline Madison Square Garden, filling the iconic venue with a sold-out crowd and drawing an audience of 1.5 million on DAZN—at the time, the most-watched female-headlined boxing broadcast. The bout was a ten-round war that tested the limits of both fighters, with Taylor narrowly securing victory by split decision. Serrano, who landed more punches but was edged out by Taylor’s precision and counterpunching, walked away with a clear determination to even the score. The event’s impact extended far beyond the ring, earning prestigious accolades like Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022.

Financially, it was a groundbreaking moment for women’s boxing. Both Taylor and Serrano earned career-high purses of $1 million each, setting a new standard and proving the commercial viability of the sport at the highest level.

“WTF did I just witness?! That cut though…” she wrote.
“Hahaha! Did you like it though?” I asked.
“I don’t know… kind of obsessed!?” came her reply.

Since that night, my social feeds have been flooded with articles and reactions—not about Paul-Tyson, but about the co-headliners. Both fighters were issued 30-day medical suspensions by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation following their fight—a standard procedure for fighters involved in such high-intensity bouts.

Post-fight, both women were reflective. Amanda Serrano acknowledged the magnitude of the night, saying: “We made history tonight. I’m honoured to share the ring with Katie Taylor.” Taylor, meanwhile, expressed her pride in the fight’s impact, describing it as “a special, special moment” and “the best night of my career.” Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport and the promoter who has been instrumental in shaping Katie Taylor’s professional career, highlighted the bout’s wider implications, stating: “This is a massive moment for boxing. These two women have shown that they can headline major venues and deliver incredible performances, pushing the sport forward.”

Women’s boxing has come a long way. For most of the 20th century, it was banned in many countries. In England, the British Boxing Board of Control only lifted its ban in 1996, finally paving the way for amateur competitions and national championships for young female boxers. By the end of the century, the first European Cup for women’s boxing received approval, marking its growing recognition on a larger scale.

Progress wasn’t without its battles—quite literally. In 1998, Jane Couch became the first licensed female boxer in the UK. This wasn’t handed to her; the British Boxing Board of Control initially refused to grant her a professional licence because she was a woman. With the backing of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Couch challenged the decision and won, forcing the sport to take its first real steps towards equality.

By the 2000s, women’s boxing was picking up momentum. Nicola Adams became the first female boxer to represent England in 2001, and by 2007, she was bringing home silver from the European Championships. Then came the game-changer: the 2012 London Olympics. Women’s boxing was included for the first time, and Adams won the first Olympic gold medal in the sport, making history again as the first openly LGBT athlete to do so. She cemented her legacy by defending her title at Rio 2016.

Globally, the rise of streaming platforms has made boxing more accessible than ever, creating new opportunities for the sport to grow. Streaming platforms like Netflix might hold the key to sustaining the momentum of women’s boxing. Historically, accessing live boxing has been a logistical and financial hurdle—pay-per-view fees, clunky apps, and confusing streaming options often deter casual viewers. Netflix’s seamless integration removes many of these barriers. Its decision to air Tyson-Paul and Taylor-Serrano live wasn’t just about expanding its sports catalogue; it was about making boxing more accessible to a global audience. The platform’s ability to reach 240 million subscribers is unparalleled, and events like this demonstrate how streaming can redefine viewership for sport.

This new model isn’t without its challenges. Critics have pointed to buffering issues and concerns about whether subscription-based models can replace the revenue generated by traditional pay-per-view. Yet platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime are refining their strategies, and as they do, they’re reshaping the way sports are consumed entirely.

If the Taylor-Serrano rematch tells us anything, it’s that the conversation around women’s boxing has shifted. It’s no longer about proving the sport’s worth—it’s about expanding its reach and building on its momentum. The barriers that once held women back are falling, one fight at a time. As Taylor herself put it: “We agreed to 12 rounds in the next fight, so the third fight is on.” The sport is evolving, and the fighters are taking it to the next level.

The question now isn’t whether women’s boxing deserves its place in the spotlight. It’s how high it can climb and how quickly the rest of the sporting world will follow its lead. As I booked my next boxing class the following week, I couldn’t help but think: if this is the beginning, what a glorious future lies ahead.

Bring on Taylor-Serrano 3!