Katie Taylor wins controversial rematch with Amanda Serrano to retain super lightweight title
Briefly

For the second time, Taylor defeated Serrano via a decision that left more fans questioning the scorecards than praising Taylor's skills. Serrano fought through a gnarly cut above her right eye throughout much of the bout due to headbutts from Taylor, one resulting in a point deduction. Serrano's precision kept Taylor on the back foot for most of the match before Taylor's strong finish swayed the judges' scorecards to a 95-94 decision.
Serrano was clearly gutted by the decision, expressing her frustration about the repeated headbutts, saying, 'She kept head butting me... that’s what they do, not only my fight, she did it with Chantelle Cameron.' This acknowledgment of a trend in Taylor's fighting style illuminated a contentious point in the fight, drawing attention to the potential need for improved officiating.
Maldonado, Serrano's trainer, emphasized the need for better refereeing in any potential future match, stating, 'She leads with her head, that’s her best attribute.' This highlights a critical view of Taylor's fighting tactics, suggesting that while she is a nice person outside the ring, her in-ring behavior raises concerns that cannot be overlooked.
Both Taylor and Serrano expressed their willingness for a third fight afterward, but Maldonado's intervention underscored the pressing need for fair officiating, indicating that such conditions are essential for a rematch and a fair competition moving forward.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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