Amanda Serrano has confirmed she will look to fight Katie Taylor next and insists three-minute rounds are key to getting women the definition and money they deserve.
Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KO’s) will go toe-to-toe against Nina Meinke (18-3, 4 KO’s) at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot on Saturday evening in her home country of Puerto Rico.
The bout will be the culmination of an exciting night of boxing, with her promoter, Jake Paul, also set to return to the ring on the same card to fight Ryan Bourland.
Serrano hasn’t won by knockout since 2021, seven fights ago, but insists she is looking to register a statement victory and tee-up a rematch with Katie Taylor next.
Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport about fighting at home, Serrano said: ‘It’s truly amazing. The last time I was fighting in Puerto Rico it was during covid in 2021. There was no audience. Some Puerto Ricans found their way but there was very little crowd.
Amanda Serrano is looking for a statement victory on home soil when she fights Nina Meinke
The fighters will go toe-to-toe in front of 80,000 people at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot
Fighting alongside Serrano on the night is her promoter, YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul
‘To fight here in an arena like the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, which is the biggest arena in Puerto Rico, in front of 80,000 people, I am truly excited.
‘Thanks so much to Jake for allowing me showcase that I’m capable of being the main event. Him being the co-main event is truly amazing for me as well. I am excited to go out there and put on a show. Jake as well, he’s going to start it off then I’m going to finish it off.’
When asked whether she thought the home support may be overwhelming, she said: ‘I’m 100 per cent focused. The fans screaming my name is just going to give me more force and strength to go out there and fight to the best of my ability.
‘That’s who I am fighting for, I am fighting for my island and for my people. It’s important I put on a good show. It’s going to be a great night. I am extremely focused and I know what it’s like to be in front of my people. I just hope Jake can handle the crowd.’
Serrano and Meinke are scheduled to fight 12, three-minute rounds rather than the two-minute rounds that are standard for women’s bouts. It was a condition Serrano was particularly passionate about.
The Puerto Rican had previously vacated her WBC title in December 2023, after the organisation had refused to sanction 12 three-minute round contests. Women’s fights are generally contested over 10 two-minute rounds. But Serrano gave up her title stating she wanted the sport to evolve to allow female fighters to compete in the same format as male boxers.
The Puerto Rican featherwight previously vacated her WBC title after the orgnaisation refused to sanction three-minute rounds
When asked about why she was so passionate about three-minute rounds, she told Mail Sport: ‘It’s time for change. We are always being criticised for fighting two minutes, wanting more money and fighting for less time. So, it’s time to change the game.
‘I’ve pretty much accomplished everything I’ve wanted to in the sport of boxing so now it’s time to change. It’s time to do the three minute rounds as it will allow women the opportunity to gain more money.
‘It will also let us gain the recognition we deserve and perform on bigger and better platforms, showcasing our skills compared to the two minute rounds. I’m excited and I hope that a lot more women will follow in my footsteps and continue to fight 12×3’s. It’s our choice though, it’s obviously not mandatory.’
Serrano is refusing to look past Meinke, but revealed she looking to avenge her controversial split-points defeat to Taylor next.
The undisputed featherweight champion collided with The Bray Bomber in a seismic showdown back in 2022 at Madison Square Garden, in what was a historic night for women’s boxing.
Serrano previously broke ground in the sport fighting Britain’s Katie Taylor in a landmark fight at Madison Square Garden
After taking on Meinke, Serrano will chase a rematch with the Bray Bomber as her next priority
It was the first-ever women’s bout held at the iconic New York arena, drawing an audience of over 1.5million viewers from around the world.
Taylor would ultimately claim a split decision victory against the Puerto Rican, but the prospect of enacting revenge is something that excites Serrano.
When discussing a possible rematch, Serrano told Mail Sport: ‘I 100 per cent want the rematch. I have Nina come Saturday night but then I am going to have my team reach out to her team.
‘We definitely want that fight and I think it’s a fight everyone wants to see. I think the rematch would be even better than the first fight. She’s definitely in my radar. I think I have the power and the knowledge now to go out there and maybe stop her this time.’