Amanda Serrano Vacates IBF Featherweight Title, Vows To Reclaim Belt After Katie Taylor Rematch
Amanda Serrano has parted with another one of her babies.
The difficult decision was made by The Ring featherweight champion to relinquish her IBF title at the weight. Serrano (46-2-1, 30 knockouts) will remain above the lightweight division for the remainder of the year. A win over Stevie Morgan (14-1, 13 KOs) will set up a coveted rematch with undisputed 140-pound champ Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) in November.
“Today, we informed the IBF that Amanda Serrano has decided to vacate her IBF featherweight championship,” Most Valuable Promotions announced in a company statement. “Amanda has been honored to represent the IBF as its champion and has proudly worn the championship belt.
“However, due to her commitment to move up in weight to fight Katie Taylor for the [undisputed] junior welterweight championship, she is unable to satisfy her IBF mandatory.”
Serrano previously attempted to defend versus IBF number-one contender Nina Meinke (18-3, 4 KOs). They were due to meet on March 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, Serrano suffered a burnt cornea prior to the weigh-in and was medically disqualified on fight night.
Meinke remains the top contender in line for the now vacant belt.
“Thank you to the IBF, this amazing organization who I’ve had the privilege of being their champion at 130lbs 1st & recently at 126lbs,” Serrano said on Friday. “I was awarded their [2023] Fighter of the [Year] & received a beautiful championship ring.
“I promise to come back & regain my belt.”
Serrano vacated the WBC featherweight title on principle. The sanctioning body refused to honor her mission of fighting 12 three-minute round championship fights.
Friday’s development ends her IBF title reign after 22 months. Serrano lifted the belt from then-unbeaten Sarah Mahfoud (11-0 at the time) in their Sept. 2022 WBC/IBF/WBO unification bout.
The final chip was added in a ten-round decision over then-WBA 126-pound titlist Erika Cruz. Their epic thriller last Feb. 4 in New York City saw Serrano become Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed champion.
Overall, Serrano has made six title defenses of at least one title during her current featherweight title reign. Her most recent fight at the weight came in a 12-round decision over Danila Ramos last October in Orlando, Florida.
Saturday marks her second career bout above the 135-pound limit. Serrano weighed 136 pounds for her scheduled ten-round bout versus the naturally larger Morgan. The theory is that Serrano will be better acclimated to the weight ahead of her challenge of Ireland’s Taylor later this year.
A similar strategy was taken ahead of her first fight with Taylor, for the undisputed lightweight championship. Serrano is a natural featherweight and generally walks around below the lightweight limit. She came just short of dethroning Taylor, who has since claimed the fully unified 140-pound crown.
This time around, the hard sacrifice was made to proceed with that bout.
“Amanda respects the IBF’s rules and regulations,” noted MVP. “[She] does not want to prevent others from having an opportunity to fight for the [title].
“[Amanda] looks forward to becoming the IBF champion again at junior welterweight and once again proudly representing the IBF. She also looks forward to eventually returning to featherweight and recapturing her championship.”
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