Amanda Serrano - Heather Hardy rematch added to Paul vs Diaz undercard on August 5 in Texas
Seven division world champion Amanda Serrano will aim to keep her dream of a rematch with Irish star Katie Taylor alive, when she defends her Undisputed featherweight crown against Heather Hardy on August 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV.
The bout will serve as the co-main event to the clash between Internet star Jake Paul, and MMA veteran Nate Diaz.
"Amanda is one of the most decorated and elite athletes ever and is on path to become the winningest female boxer of all time," Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement.
"After some much-needed recovery time, Amanda is excited to return to the ring and remind fans why she is the most devastating puncher in women's boxing. If Amanda prevails in the fight, the plan is to immediately pursue the rematch with Katie Taylor in Ireland."
The 34 year old Puerto Rican Serrano (44-2, 30 KO's) was originally due to compete in the eagerly anticipated rematch with Katie Taylor in Dublin on May 20, following on from their historic main event collision at Madison Square Garden last year, however an injury forced Serrano to withdraw from the bout, leading to Chantelle Cameron taking her place.
Since the disappointment of the Taylor defeat in New York, the big punching, multi-weight master has won consecutive fights, most recently against Erika Cruz back in February, and will now hope to defeat fellow Brooklyn native Hardy, like she did when the pair originally met back in 2019, if she is to earn another crack at dethroning the phenomenal Irishwoman later on in 2023.
"I am the undisputed featherweight champion today because Heather Hardy agreed to fight me in 2019 for her WBO title," Serrano said.
"That was the first step in my current run at featherweight. It's only right that I give her the opportunity to earn it back. I'm excited to once again share the card with Jake and put on an exciting war."
The challenger, Heather Hardy [24-2, 4 KO's], has had a lengthy career, competing in both professional boxing and mixed martial arts since 2012. The New Yorker won the vacant WBO Featherweight title against Shelly Vincent in 2018, before losing it in her next defence against Serrano the following year. Hardy hasn't fought since 2021, in a losing effort against Canadian Jessica Camara, and she will now hope to spring an almighty upset to become an Undisputed world champion at 41 years old, and derail any potential talk of a Taylor vs Serrano 2 later on in the year.
"I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity," Hardy said.
"In 2021, I came back to boxing with a renewed passion for the sport. My late trainer told me, the day before he died, that 2023 would be my year. Now, I have the opportunity to prove him right and become an undisputed champion. Thank you to Amanda and team for keeping their word on giving me the rematch, but come fight night, I only have winning on my mind and stealing the show from Jake Paul and Nate Diaz."