Tony Bellew believes that Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano was the fight of the year.
In a hugely entertaining fight, one that was physically draining for both competitors, Taylor emerged victorious as the undisputed women's lightweight champion.
The quality of the bout, held at Madison Square Gardens, led to immediate calls for a rematch, with promoter Eddie Hearn keen on a homecoming fight for Taylor at Ireland’s Croke Park.
Speaking on The DAZN Boxing Show, Bellew made it clear what he thought.
“I think this one excelled and over-exceeded expectations, and I don't know how, because the build-up and the magnitude was second to none, but Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano went way above and beyond.”
He added: “There was just smoke all round the ring. Amazing to witness, what a night.”
Ade Oladipo agreed, saying “What they did to each other in the ring was scary. it’s weird because the first round, the feel-out round, after that that was it, they just sat in the centre of the ring, knocking bells out of each other.
“I was sitting there thinking, this isn’t going to last, they can’t keep this going for 10 rounds.”
Oladipo also suggested that the dramatic denouement of Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood was also a contender.
"Shout out to Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood, that was probably the most dramatic end of a fight this year, knocking him out of the ring," he added.
"The way he dug deep to get the win, that deserves a shout-out too."