Katie Taylor’s clash with Amanda Serrano on April 30 live on DAZN has not just captured the imagination of boxing fans, but also the wider sporting world.
The fight will be the first time two female boxers have headlined MSG in the venue’s 140 year history and Manchester City women’s defender Demi Stokes believes this event is a ‘massive’ moment for women's sport across the world.
“I think it’s massive,” Stokes responded in an exclusive interview with DAZN when asked about the significance of Saturday’s fight.
“I’ve always watched boxing and for my bucket list I’d always say I want to go to Vegas and it was always the men, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, it was never I’d like to go and watch Katie Taylor.
“We want women to be at the forefront, we want to be successful. Even though I play football, it’s important that we celebrate women as a whole.”
Stokes, who has made 101 and 66 appearances for City and England respectively, sees some parallels between the rise in popularity in both women’s boxing and football.
“It’s quite similar to the journey that we’ve been on, boxing is going through that same transition as well where women are on big undercards, they are getting sponsored and getting the support that they need.
“It shows that when you do support a woman, it’s incredible what she can do.”
When asked to give a prediction for undisputed women’s lightweight title fight, Stokes is expecting an explosive finish from the defending champion.
“I’m going to go with Katie Taylor,” Stokes began.
“It’s incredible what she’s done, Nicola Adams was one of the first and Natasha Jonas, they’ve all been at the start and got Katie Taylor to where she is today.
“I’m going for a Katie Taylor knockout.”