Katie Taylor ready to make history at Madison Square Garden

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano came face to face in New York this week ahead of what promises to be the most significant women’s boxing event in history, and one that could cement Taylor’s legacy as Ireland’s greatest ever fighter.

The final press conference took place Tuesday night at the iconic Theater at Madison Square Garden, where the undisputed lightweight champion will headline tomorrow’s all-female card in a historic third bout against Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano.

Taylor, coming into the fight with a 2-0 record against Serrano, was in defiant form on stage, shutting down her rival’s recent complaints and promising to deliver the best performance of her career.

“I’m 2-0 against her. Opinions are opinions, but facts are facts and you can’t get away from those facts,” she said.

“I’m just tired of the complaining and the whining from Amanda’s team. I plan to stay beating her. I plan to stay 3-0 come this Friday night.”

The event, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and streaming live on Netflix, is being billed as the first-ever professional boxing card made up entirely of female fighters at Madison Square Garden.

For Taylor, it’s the kind of moment she dreamed of as a young fighter.

“It’s an amazing situation,” she said. “I actually dreamt of this as a kid—to be in this position, headline a big show like this, headline a show full of these amazing women behind me. It is an absolute privilege.”

Taylor, who holds a professional record of 24 wins and just one loss, believes she hasn’t yet shown her best in the ring.

“I feel like people haven’t seen the best me yet. I can definitely make the fight a lot easier for myself and I just can’t wait to step in there now and actually perform.”

She also addressed the possibility of a fourth fight between the pair.

“Well, I am taking the third fight. If she wants a fourth fight, I’ll take it as well. But let’s focus on Friday night.”

Amanda Serrano (pictured above), who has 47 professional wins and 31 knockouts to her name, said she’s approaching the fight with focus and a smarter game plan.

“We’re just going to be smarter. Work smarter. I did work a lot smarter for this fight and I believe we can come out victorious. We will come out victorious.”

Despite losing twice to Taylor, Serrano refused to accept defeat.

“Losing is never fun, but you only lose if you feel like you lost. And I didn’t feel like I lost. My team told me I didn’t lose. They’re proud of me, so I’m okay. Like Jake Paul says: ‘You turn that L into a W.’”

She also dismissed talk of any lingering nerves.

“If I had concerns, I would not take the fight. I’m a warrior. I’m going to get in there. If that cut happens, we’re prepared. I fought to the very end in the last fight and I will do it again and over and over again if I have to.”

Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian announced a $250,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus for the best performance on the card — a prize that will be judged by Bidarian, boxing legend Laila Ali, and MVP co-founder Jake Paul. If they can’t agree, Ali will have the final say.

The press conference was hosted by combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and featured a stacked line-up of fighters from Friday’s card, including undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner and Spain’s undefeated WBA interim world champion Jennifer Miranda, who meet in the co-main event.

Other fighters in attendance included Savannah Marshall, Shadasia Green, Ellie Scotney, Yamileth Mercado, Cherneka Johnson, Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf, Ramla Ali, Lila Furtado, Jessica Camara, Tamm Thibeault, and Mary Casamassa.

For Taylor, headlining this historic all-female card isn’t just about boxing — it’s about pushing the sport forward.

“This is a history-making event. The sport is in a position where we’re headlining a top-quality all-female card.

“Every single female fighter here is an outstanding fighter. We’re going to see the best of women’s boxing on Friday night.

“It’s going to be live on Netflix for the whole world to see.”

“This is a huge moment for women’s sport. For myself and Amanda, just being in this position is probably the biggest accomplishment of our lives.”