Error code: %{errorCode}
Jake Paul, Katie Taylor on whether Taylor-Serrano 3 winner can claim to be greatest women's boxer of all time
But according to Jake Paul, something even bigger will be at stake for the winner — the right to lay claim to being the greatest women’s boxer of all time.
“I think so, I think that title and that crown is on the line and I think they are two of some of the greatest,” Paul told DAZN News as part of a media scrum following Wednesday’s press conference at The Theater at MSG.
“There are some other amazing names up there, Laila Ali, Christy Martin, but I think [Taylor and Serrano] are just doing things on a massive, massive level now and I think the winner of this fight will probably take the crown.”
Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, spoke up for Serrano’s resume in stating: “What people need to understand is Amanda Serrano is a seven-division champion — a seven-division world champion.”
Undisputed at super lightweight and formerly undisputed at lightweight to go along with her Olympic gold medal, Taylor was not willing to say that the trilogy winner could also be considered the greatest women’s fighter of all time. The legend will rather leave it to you to decide.
“Umm … “ Taylor began pondering to DAZN News , pursing her lips. “That’s up to you guys, it’s up to the critics, it’s up to all the journalists. But I’m coming into this fight 2-0. I think this fight is going to secure both of our legacies.”
Any thought of the Taylor-Serrano 3 winner being considered the greatest women’s boxer of all time will likely meet resistance from the undefeated Claressa Shields who goes by the “GWOAT" and for solid reasons.
Shields is the only boxer in the sport’s modern era to have reigned undisputed in three different divisions — junior middleweight, middleweight and most recently heavyweight — and has two gold medals to her name.
Savannah Marshall, who has fought Shields, believes it is close between Taylor and Shields but gives the slight edge to the former.
“I think Katie is a legend, an absolute legend,” said Marshall who will face Shadasia Green in a super middleweight unification fight Friday night. “I don’t think anyone has done what she’s done in the sport. The champions she’s fought, I know Claressa’s fought champions as well, but I just think lightweights are more competitive.
“I think, for me, Katie is the true legend of female boxing.”
Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Cecilia Braekhus, Ann Wolfe and Holly Holm can also make their respective case for being the best ever.
One such legend is not sure whether the Taylor-Serrano 3 winner will be the greatest ever.
"Taylor-Serrano is a great rivalry," Martin told DAZN News. "It is the greatest female trilogy of all time. They are both fortunate to have each other so they can showcase their talents to the world. I'm not sure the winner is the greatest of all time.
"What if Amanda wins? Katie has beaten her twice," she tacked on. "I'm not sure who the greatest is."
In terms of reaching new heights and visibility for women’s boxing, though, this Taylor-Serrano rivalry might be unmatched.
After becoming the first women to headline and sell out Madison Square Garden for their first fight in April 2022, Taylor and Serrano had their encore as the co-main event to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson which reached more than 60 million households via Netflix in November.
Their two fights have resulted in 20 heart-racing, frenetic rounds with judges awarding a split-decision and unanimous decision to Taylor.
With each fighter having built a storied career, fans and critics alike might see it fit to tag the winner as the greatest women’s boxer of all time following another scintillating bout.
For Ramla Ali, who clashes with Lila Furtado on the card, each Taylor and Serrano can make a stirring argument.
“I think they can both lay claim to being the greatest woman of all time,” Ali told DAZN News as part of Wednesday’s media session. “Amanda has had so many accomplishments and at the same time, so has Katie.
“I don’t think anyone is above anyone,” she continued. “Because of them, we are here today. There’s a magnitude of that in of itself.”
Watch the Ring 3 live from New York exclusively on DAZN PPV, on Saturday, July 12 Buy the PPV now here
