Remember all of that hullaballoo around the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano rematch? It was less than a month ago that the Irish nation was gripped by the debate over who was the bad guy in Matchroom Promotions' failed attempt to stage Taylor-Serrano II at Croke Park this May.
After an unexpected intervention by Conor McGregor, Serrano and Katie Taylor stood in the centre of the boxing ring at MSG on February 2nd and confirmed their greatly-anticipated rematch for the 20th of May in Dublin.
And then...nothing.
Irish fight fans are still waiting for more information about the fight. Visit Matchroom's website and there's still no venue associated with the fight. It's all a bit unusual considering the public interest in the fight and the fact that it's less than twelve weeks away. Now obviously Taylor-Serrano 2 at the Point would sell out in seconds but considering Hearn is such a relentless promoter (and self-promoter), it's a bit strange that there's still an iota of uncertainty around the fight.
Taylor-Serrano 2 Off?
The Twitter rumour mill is hardly the most reliable place to get news and information, but for what it's worth, a number of credible boxing Twitter accounts are sharing rumours today that Taylor-Serrano II could be off for May 20.
🥊 TAYLOR/SERRANO 2 OFF?!@Serranosisters has REPORTEDLY pulled out of the rematch with @KatieTaylor on May 20‼️
Per sources, the reason for the withdrawal are undisclosed at this time…
WHO would you like Taylor to fight IF Serrano is out? pic.twitter.com/UoDTDuJgjx— International Boxing News (@IntBoxingNews) February 28, 2023
Serrano injured?
Rumours are starting to grow that Amanda Serrano is injured and is out of the Super Fight with Katie Taylor on the 20th of May in Dublin
What impact will this have on the scheduled date? If Serrano is injured, who should be in the opposite corner to Katie? pic.twitter.com/ElVwAI5tnr— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) February 28, 2023
Add to that reports from the authoritative IrishBoxing.com is reporting that the fight has been postponed due to an 'injury' to Serrano.
It's an intriguing development. When speaking to RTÉ at the beginning of the month, Hearn said that a September date was in play for Croke Park. That afternoon, he had guzzled Conor McGregor's porter in Dublin 12. An injury for Serrano might be a blessing in disguise for all parties as it would mean Katie could get her homecoming at the 3Arena and then start the build-up to a rematch with Serrano at Croker in September. Given the lingering doubts over whether a Taylor fight could sell 70,000 tickets, it would be ideal that Serrano is the opponent should the stars align for a Taylor fight at GAA HQ.
Hearn had name-dropped Chantelle Cameron as a possible opponent for Taylor in September. The English fighter was being tagged by many as a possible opponent for Taylor in May.
English fighter Terri Harper has already hilariously thrown her hat into the ring.
I’ll chop a leg off to get back to 135 and do it 😂🥊 https://t.co/siOExpW8o1
— Terri “Belter” Harper (@TerriHarper96) February 28, 2023
Matchroom could not be reached for comment on these rumours. As ever, watch this space.
Update: it turns out you didn't have to watch this space for very long. Matchroom confirmed this afternoon that the fight has indeed been postponed due to an undisclosed injury to Serrano.
Taylor-Serrano II in Dublin on May 20 is OFF! https://t.co/pQfWdmqpVn
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 28, 2023
