NEW YORK — Katie Taylor retained her undisputed lightweight championship of the world, and cemented herself as a sporting legend in the process, with a split decision win over Amanda Serrano in the first women's boxing bout to headline Madison Square Garden in its 140-year history.
With an atmosphere from the reported sellout crowd of 19,187 so loud that the referee was struggling to hear the bell at the end of each of the 10 two-minute rounds, the three ringside judges scored it 97-93 and 96-93 for Taylor, with the third deeming it a Serrano fight at 96-94.
Taylor's boxing was at its most majestic here at the Garden, in a fight that would not only cement the legacy of both combatants but also the futures of many generations of fighters to come. However she was pinned down in the fifth round and subjected to brutal sustained Serrano offense.
Taylor's rally in the sixth could go down as the most important round of her career. And with a stellar counter-left leading the charge, she did enough to leave the Puerto Rican challenger in need of a knockout in the eyes of many as we entered the 10th and final frame.
Serrano certainly fought like she needed the finish in the last round, and what unfolded was a mesmerizing open exchange which ended the bout in a style fitting the occasion.
Winning co-promoter Eddie Hearn stated in the ring post-fight that he wants to give Taylor a homecoming bout in Ireland. And off the back of this incredible contest between the two top pound-for-pound best women's fighters on the planet, a rematch in an Irish stadium would be a red-hot ticket.
To check back on all of the updates, including results for the undercard and prelims, scroll through the liveblog comments below.