'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'

The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special

- Donald McRae

When Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano were locked in battle during the last round of their first fight at Madison Square Garden in April 2022, I could not help myself. Alongside an entire row of ringside reporters, I stood up to watch the final minute of a riveting contest. Suddenly oblivious to the march of our urgent deadlines and the etiquette of remaining above such raw human emotion, we were swept away by the courage and determination of both women in one of the greatest fights ever staged at the Garden.

"It was only afterwards, when you're looking back and hearing people's reactions that you think: 'Gosh, that was a huge moment for women in boxing'," Taylor says now. "You're hearing stories of young girls being inspired by that night and how people are calling it historic. It's then that you just say: 'Wow, that was an amazing night.'"

It seems bizarre that their long-awaited rematch should now take place on Friday night as the main support to a circus stunt in Arlington, Texas, which sees a 58-year-old Mike Tyson fight Jake Paul, the 27-year-old YouTube influencer who is trying to become a boxer. Tyson last fought professionally more than 19 years ago, when he was beaten up and stopped by Kevin McBride, an Irish journeyman, and his lifestyle since then has been typically wayward, marked by continued drink and drug problems. The scrap between Tyson and Paul would be laughable if it did not carry a serious risk.