Since signing with Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions, Amanda Serrano has competed in big fights while showing why she is a true trailblazer for women’s boxing. A seven-division world champion, “The Real Deal” continues to grow at 34 years old.
Next up for the undisputed featherweight champion will be a rematch with Heather Hardy in on August 5. The fight serves as the co-main event to Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, which airs on DAZN PPV.
Hardy, who is a former WBO featherweight titleholder, lost the belt to Serrano via unanimous decision in 2019. After time away from the sport, she is back and looking for revenge.
Serrano was happy to give her former opponent a shot at gold.
“Hardy was the first female boxer to give me the opportunity to start my journey to being the undisputed 126-pound champion,” Serrano said via Boxing Scene. “We met in New York in January 2019, and it was 10 interesting rounds. She was able to survive a dominant first round from me, but she was able to adjust and show why she is world-class. I remember we were not the headline fight, but we had the attention. Small steps to give the legacy that women’s boxing deserves.”
WATCH: Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, live on DAZN
While she is not looking past Hardy, Serrano does think about legacy. If she can beat Hardy for the second time, she has options, whether in her division or beyond.
The Sporting News looks into the potential options for Serrano.
Katie Taylor rematch
In April 2022, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano made history by competing in the first women’s fight to main event at Madison Square Garden. In a sold-out arena, the two put on The Sporting News’ 2022 Fight of the Year, with Taylor retaining her status as undisputed lightweight champion.
Since their superfight, demand has been high for a sequel and one almost came to fruition before Taylor faced Chantelle Cameron in Ireland. Serrano recently addressed the rematch talk on social media.
“I was out w/friends in my island watching #CrawfordSpence & all I heard was When’s the @KatieTaylor rematch? My team @MostVpromotions will be working on that. We both have a fight scheduled but I promise it will happen!”
I was out w/friends in my island 🇵🇷watching #CrawfordSpence & all I heard was
When’s the @KatieTaylor rematch?
My team @MostVpromotions will be working on that.
We both have a fight scheduled but
I promise it will happen! pic.twitter.com/FDwfKKLYXz
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) July 30, 2023
Serrano is preoccupied with Hardy but her team definitely has Taylor in their sights. Paul helped the first fight come to fruition and may look to continue negotiations for a rematch, potentially at Croke Park.
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Regarding Taylor, she will face Chantelle Cameron in a rematch on November 25. It may be a while before we see Taylor vs. Serrano 2 but never say never.
Amanda Serrano vs. Alycia Baumgardner
If a second Taylor fight has to wait, Serrano (44-2-1. 30 KOs) could face another hard-hitting fighter in Alycia Baumgardner.
Baumgardner, the undisputed super featherweight champion, earned her status the night Serrano beat Erika Cruz to become undisputed at featherweight. “The Bomb” is interested in super fights and facing someone like Serrano entices her.
“I am part of history now, and we are able to showcase to the world what a women athlete looks like,” Baumgardner told DAZN. “I will have a fight with Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Chantelle Cameron. These fights are huge fights, we have undisputed champions in each weight class, and I think it builds for a great fight.”
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Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn stated that Taylor or Serrano could be next for Baumgardner. As of now, there are no updated developments regarding this potential fight.
Mandatory challengers for Amanda Serrano
If she can get past Hardy, there are plenty of other challengers for Serrano at featherweight. While she has beaten several within the division, new challenges await her.
The WBC and IBF have Nina Meinke ranked first at featherweight. Meinke is also rated third within the WBA rankings. The 30-year-old German turned pro in 2016 and is on a five-fight win streak. She defeated Kimika Miyoshi in June to become the top contender within the WBA.
Meinke has competed for featherweight gold before, losing to Sarah Mahfoud for the IBF title in 2022.
Jelena Mrdjenovich, second in the WBA rankings, is also an option. A former WBC super featherweight, WBC lightweight, and WBA/WBC featherweight champion, Mrdjenovich is 2-2 in her last four fights. After losing to Erika Cruz twice for the WBA featherweight title, the 41-year-old outpointed Calista Silgado in June.
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