FAIRYTAYL' OF NEW YORK

Katie relishes a job well done in Big Apple after Bray legend puts Serrano to the sword again

- BY ROBERT HYNES IN NEW YORK

THE more things change, the more they stay the same. Katie Taylor faced Amanda Serrano for a third time at Madison Square Garden in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Just like the two times previously, the undisputed super-lightweight champion came into the bout as the underdog.

And just like the two times previously, Taylor walked back to her dressing room as the victor.

This time arguably more convincingly than ever.

On her record, it will go down as a majority decision win.

In reality, it was unanimous.

Taylor cruised to victory.

English judge Mark Lyson scored the bout 95-95 - to the bewilderment of many.

However the other two judges, Canada’s Nicolas Esnault and New Jersey native Steve Weisfeld, had it 97-93 in favour of Taylor.

To say this fight was different to the first two bouts between the pair would be an understatement.

As the 19,000 people in attendance took their seats for the main event, they were all expecting the same thing.

For this wasn't your average fight.

This wasn't a question of what will happen when the bell sounds.

Everyone knew what would happen when the bell sounded for what was essentially round 21 between these two boxing greats.

Well at least they thought they did.