Taylor vs. Serrano 2: Undisputed Title Fight Predictions

Amanda Serrano has stated she is “‘ready to put on a show’ against Taylor” as Ireland’s Katie Taylor prepares to defend her undisputed light-welterweight championship in a rematch against Serrano in Texas on Friday. This contest will unfold at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, serving as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated bout between 58-year-old Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 27. Live text commentary for the Tyson-Paul fight will be available from 03:00 GMT on Saturday, 16 November, via the BBC Sport website and app. Taylor previously secured a split-decision victory over Serrano in April 2022, which allowed her to retain her undisputed lightweight championship. The 38-year-old has since experienced the sole defeat of her professional career, at the hands of Chantelle Cameron, but she subsequently avenged that loss by narrowly winning the rematch. Serrano, a world champion in seven different divisions, has accumulated a five-fight winning streak since her previous loss to Taylor. The Puerto Rican fighter holds a record of two losses and one draw across her 50-fight career. Their initial encounter is broadly considered the greatest female boxing contest of all time. Tyson v Paul – all you need to know The question remains whether Taylor will emerge victorious once more, or if Serrano will make the necessary adjustments to claim a championship in an eighth division. BBC Sport sought predictions from notable figures within the boxing community. Former light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis stated: “I am going with Taylor – we are in the same squad.” Former middleweight world champion Hannah Rankin commented: “I think the rematch is going to be just as good, if not better than the first fight. I think Amanda has a point to prove but I’m going to go with Katie on points.” Featherweight world champion Skye Nicolson offered her view: “I will always back Katie Taylor. Breaking down the first fight and the last couple of years, I feel Taylor has had better performances and against better standard of opponents. She has also been fighting at the weight whereas Serrano has gone back down to featherweight. I haven’t been impressed by Serrano’s performances either, so I will say Taylor by a wider points decision than last time.” Tyson slaps Paul at chaotic weigh-in, Taylor and Serrano also weigh in Former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla shared his thoughts: “I might be going with heart but I think Taylor wins a close points decision, maybe even a controversial one. I was lucky enough to be ringside for the first fight. It was one of the greatest atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. I would have loved if Taylor had retired that night, [to] go out on a great performance and great fight.”I thought Taylor had done enough that night although a lot of people I was around thought Amanda should have been awarded the decision. I thought she was fantastic in avenging the defeat to Chantelle Cameron but how many more nights can Taylor keep going to the well? I don’t believe there’s many more, but you can also say the same about Serrano.” Light-welterweight Jack Catterall stated: “I’ve been a fan of Taylor for a quite a while so I’ll be rooting for her.” It’s important to stay disciplined – Taylor on what it takes to beat Serrano Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie commented: “I obviously want to back Taylor. I hope the fights she had with Chantelle Cameron haven’t taken too much out of her at this stage of her career. If so, Amanda Serrano is a good puncher, worker and could out-graft her. But I do think Taylor has already shown her talent and hustle throughout her career so it’s hard to go against her.” Two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas remarked: “You can never usually bet against Katie Taylor but I am going to. Being out the ring for so long against a pressure fighter and, most of all, a southpaw, will cause her a lot of problems like it did in the first fight. “There isn’t a style that Taylor hasn’t come across. Even when she lost, she came back and won emphatically. But I do think everything edges to Serrano.” Lightweight contender Caroline Dubois stated: “I believe Katie wins the fight on points.” Retired world champion Barry Jones commented: “Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano 2 – still the best fight in boxing, as was the first fight. An absolute war of the ages. This fight is a little different as both fighters have a few more miles