KATIE Taylor is relishing “the rematch the world has waited to see” after it was announced she will defend her status as undisputed world light-welterweight champion against Amanda Serrano on July 20.
The rivals made history as the first female fighters to headline at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden two years ago, with Taylor prevailing by split decision in an all-action lightweight contest.
A return bout will take place at 140lbs as the co-main event to Jake Paul v Mike Tyson at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium being broadcast by Netflix, which has more than 260million paid memberships globally.
It is set to be the third live sports event shown by the streaming giant following a celebrity golf event last November and a tennis exhibition between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in March.
“This is the rematch the world has wanted to see and I’m delighted that it’s finally happening,” the 37-year-old Taylor said.
“The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different.”
Taylor captured the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-welterweight titles in November by outpointing Chantelle Cameron, who handed the Irish fighter her first professional defeat six months earlier.
Serrano, who has won world titles in seven weight divisions, stepped back down to featherweight after losing to Taylor and has won all four fights since then.
She was the undisputed world champion at the 126lbs weight limit but elected to vacate her WBC crown to fight 12 three-minute rounds - the men’s championship standard - against Danila Ramos last year.
But the Puerto Rican, who has 46 wins - 30 inside the distance - two defeats and one draw in her decorated professional career, will drop back down to 10 two-minute rounds to face Taylor (23-1, 6KOs).
“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG,” the 35-year-old Serrano said.
“It feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about.
“While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10x2 for, if that’s what Katie wanted.
“I’m coming for her belts, she wants 10x2, so that’s what we will do. I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time I’m not leaving it to the judges.”
