Securing a venue for Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s rematch fight has been in question for a while, but now fans are wondering if the Taylor-Serrano rematch will even take place.
With rugby’s Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup coming to top Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on the same weekend as a typically loaded GAA and Airtricity weekend, trying to get extra security sorted for a Taylor bout at Croke Park was going to be difficult.
Croke Park is said to be Katie Taylor’s dream venue, but Eddie Hearn, Taylor’s main promoter, did not expect it to come at such a steep cost. At a press conference, Hearn stated that Croke Park was going to cost three times what Wembley Stadium would be to lock in for a fight.
Hearn settled on Dublin’s 3 Arena for Taylor’s fight against Chantelle Cameron on 20 May after the Taylor-Serrano rematch was cancelled due to Serrano sustaining an injury.
Katie Taylor is WORKING ahead of May 20
: @KatieTaylor | #TaylorCameron pic.twitter.com/5JLXXnZdjH
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 26, 2023
The rematch was said to be taking place in September, with Hearn hoping to secure Croke Park for the anticipated event.
An announcement from Serrano on Thursday, 4 May, has now raised questions about whether the rematch will actually take place. Serrano took to Twitter to announce that she will be fighting Heather Hardy in Texas on 5 August.
I’m Back! August 5th in Texas
On the #PaulDiaz
VS @HeatherHardyBox 2Some ask why?
My answer it’s a voluntary Title Defense & when I asked for a shot at her title she gave it to me. I try my hardest to honor what comes out my mouth & my promises#PaulDiaz #SerranoHardy pic.twitter.com/VMo0Vl9Ld2
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) May 4, 2023
Hardy and Serrano faced off back in 2019, with the winner due to face Katie Taylor. Serrano defeated Hardy and is set on doing it again.
It is highly unlikely though that she would enter the ring just a month later to take on Taylor in the rematch.
When Taylor Serrano II at Croke Park was called off earlier this year, Hearn spoke confidently of September as the new date for the rematch. Amanda Serrano’s manager, Jake Paul, also shared his excitement on 30 April for the rematch saying, “It was a privilege to play a role in putting on that event (MSG fight) and I can’t wait for the rematch. See you soon Dublin”.
Serrano booking the fight with Hardy has left many unanswered questions, as fans were told that the Taylor-Serrano rematch was not off the cards, even after the Cameron fight was announced.
If Taylor is to lose out on this rematch, it will definitely be a slap in the face to this sporting icon and leave many fans disappointed in not being able to watch one of the most desired rematches in boxing history.