Taylor and Serrano are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in DAZN's women's pound-for-pound rankings. Nipping at their heels at No. 3 is two-time Olympic gold medalist, former undisputed middleweight champion, and current undisputed super-welterweight champion Claressa Shields.
Even though the bout was just announced, many inside and outside boxing are giving their predictions, and it's still three months away. Looking at both of their games, Shields gives a slight advantage to the challenger.
"I think both girls are some great fighters," Shields told DAZN in an exclusive interview. "I think that both of them possess great skills. I think that Amanda Serrano will edge it in a split decision win over Katie because I don't think either fighter is going to be able to dominate the other. But I feel like Amanda Serrano’s power will work in her favor."
Why does Shields feel Serrano is going to secure the victory in what is arguably the marquee fight in women's boxing history?
"When I look at the pound-for-pound list, I think Katie has great offense, but her defense sometimes is lacking," Shields said.
"She gets hit a lot, and with Amanda being a big puncher, those punches are going to be of some effect on her. Katie has taken on some great challenges also, so I'm not saying that she has a lot of miles on her. I'm just saying that Amanda Serrano can punch.
"If she gets hit like that against Amanda Serrano the way she did with Delfine Persoon or with Jessica McCaskill, it's going to make it be a harder fight for her. But I feel like she got power, got skills, got speed out of this world.
"But I feel like Amanda also has skills and power, and she also has more experience than Katie Taylor as far as in the pro ranks.
"It’s going to be a really good fight, but I see it going toward Amanda Serrano with the split."
After stepping through the ropes only one time in 2021 due to putting her focus into her mixed martial arts career for the PFL, securing a dominant win over Marie-Eve Dicaire in March, Shields returns to the sweet science on Saturday, Feb. 5, as she defends her four 154-pound titles against Ema Kozin.
A win by Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) puts her in a position to face Savannah Marshall in her next fight. Marshall, who handed Shields her only boxing defeat so far a decade ago at amateur level, is regarded by some as the fighter with the best chance of giving Shields an epic encounter on par with Taylor vs. Serrano.
Despite not wanting to reveal what the game plan will be for Kozin, Shields gives a peek through the curtain.
"I don't even want to give it away," Shields said. "The word for this camp has been discomfort.
"Discomfort in just doing things that I don't like to do. We're doing things I don't like to do (which) makes me perform better. Like sparring four times a week, I'm running more, padding up, and letting my punches go. Not just with strong punches, but sharp and fast punches.
"I want to break Ema Kozin down. She’s going to want to come forward, and she's going to want to try to fight. She is going to throw as many punches as she wants to, but the defense won't be on point.
"I'm going to pick my shots and land some very clean shots, and it's going to be a big eye-opener for Ema Kozin. She's going to want to take a step down after we fight."