It was heralded as the biggest women’s fight in boxing history when two stars squared off at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
But Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano somehow managed to exceed expectations.
Ireland’s undisputed champion Taylor defended her lightweight titles in a split decision victory against the seven-weight world champion of Puerto Rico in a remarkable contest.
Here’s how the big fight on social media unfolded…
MSG lit up on historic night
The hype for this fight had been building for months and continued to do so just hours before the first bell.
Fighter-turned-Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson, aka ‘The Rock,’ perfectly summed up just how great Taylor-Serrano was for women’s boxing…
Unsurprisingly, UFC star Conor McGregor was rooting for his compatriot…
Others, like boxing trainer Dave Coldwell, were sitting on the fence…
With the billboard finished and dusted off, Madison Square Garden was lit up with the bright lights of camera phones as 19,187 fans packed the venue.
There was an electric atmosphere in New York City…
Serrano was all smiles, pumping his fists and taking in every moment as he made his way to the ring alongside promoter Jake Paul.
Taylor showed little emotion: wide-eyed, focused on the task at hand. Behind her was promoter Eddie Hearn in his best tuxedo.
While Hearn and Paul aren’t ones to shy away from the spotlight, the night belonged solely to two women. The construction was done. Now it was time to see if the fight would live up to the hype.
Taylor edges close out the opening rounds
It was a cautious first round in which Olympic gold medalist Taylor, with her amateur pedigree, came through with quick feet and quick hands.
Rounds two and three were close. Taylor may well have been the better fighter, but the southpaw Serrano was landing cleaner.
There were clear signs of the danger posed by the challenger…
Rocked champion and about to be stopped
The contest came to life in the fourth round, with Taylor cornered and desperately trying to evade Serrano’s attack to the head and body. The champion was cut above the eye.
Then came a fifth round that will go down in boxing history. Taylor was injured – badly. A flurry of punches to her head and her body left her dazed and hanging on.
“That could be one of the best rounds of boxing we’ve seen in this building since it opened in February 1968,” BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit Steve Bunce said in a comment.
There was a sense that the end was near for Taylor’s reign and potentially his career…
Taylor digs deep and comes back fighting
Then came an incredible comeback. Taylor displayed his warrior spirit, bravery, and almost unfathomable powers of recovery. Serrano couldn’t follow through on his lead and apparently took his foot off the gas.
Taylor was back on top, but the two fighters didn’t give up in a final tenth round in which she and Serrano swung wildly and traded brutal blows…
Fight of the Year Contender
We went to the judges’ scorecards. Whatever the outcome, there was recognition for both fighters on a historic night for the sport. Most felt the champion had done enough, but even before the result was read, there were calls for a rematch…
One judge scored the fight for Serrano, and the other two gave it to Taylor. The words “and still” were sung by emcee David Diamante as Taylor raised his hand.
These fighters were full of admiration for the champion…
Hearn says he’d like to see a rematch, perhaps a Taylor homecoming fight in Ireland, while Serrano’s promoter Paul just needed one word to sum up his thoughts…
Whether we see the rematch or not remains to be seen. Although Taylor emerged victorious, women’s boxing, and boxing in general, was the winner.