Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30 knockouts) addresses the media and crowd forward of her July 20 battle versus Stevie Morgan (14-1, 13 KOs). Photograph credit score: Esther Lin, Most Beneficial Promotions
Amanda Serrano has parted with one other considered one of her infants.
The tough choice was made by The Ring featherweight champion to relinquish her IBF title on the weight. Serrano (46-2-1, 30 knockouts) will stay above the light-weight division for the rest of the yr. A win over Stevie Morgan (14-1, 13 KOs) will arrange a coveted rematch with undisputed 140-pound champ Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) in November.
“At this time, we knowledgeable the IBF that Amanda Serrano has determined to vacate her IBF featherweight championship,” Most Beneficial Promotions introduced in an organization assertion. “Amanda has been honored to symbolize the IBF as its champion and has proudly worn the championship belt.
“Nonetheless, resulting from her dedication to maneuver up in weight to battle Katie Taylor for the [undisputed] junior welterweight championship, she is unable to fulfill her IBF obligatory.”
Serrano beforehand tried to defend versus IBF number-one contender Nina Meinke (18-3, 4 KOs). They had been resulting from meet on March 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nonetheless, Serrano suffered a burnt cornea previous to the weigh-in and was medically disqualified on battle evening.
Meinke stays the highest contender in line for the now vacant belt.
“Thanks to the IBF, this superb group who I’ve had the privilege of being their champion at 130lbs 1st & not too long ago at 126lbs,” Serrano mentioned on Friday. “I used to be awarded their [2023] Fighter of the [Year] & obtained a fantastic championship ring.
“I promise to return again & regain my belt.”
Serrano vacated the WBC featherweight title on precept. The sanctioning physique refused to honor her mission of combating 12 three-minute spherical championship fights.
Friday’s improvement ends her IBF title reign after 22 months. Serrano lifted the belt from then-unbeaten Sarah Mahfoud (11-0 on the time) of their Sept. 2022 WBC/IBF/WBO unification bout.
The ultimate chip was added in a ten-round choice over then-WBA 126-pound titlist Erika Cruz. Their epic thriller final Feb. 4 in New York Metropolis noticed Serrano change into Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed champion.
General, Serrano has made six title defenses of a minimum of one title throughout her present featherweight title reign. Her most up-to-date battle on the weight got here in a 12-round choice over Danila Ramos final October in Orlando, Florida.
Saturday marks her second profession bout above the 135-pound restrict. Serrano weighed 136 kilos for her scheduled ten-round bout versus the naturally bigger Morgan. The idea is that Serrano shall be higher acclimated to the load forward of her problem of Eire’s Taylor later this yr.
The same technique was taken forward of her first battle with Taylor, for the undisputed light-weight championship. Serrano is a pure featherweight and customarily walks round under the light-weight restrict. She got here simply in need of dethroning Taylor, who has since claimed the totally unified 140-pound crown.
This time round, the arduous sacrifice was made to proceed with that bout.
“Amanda respects the IBF’s guidelines and laws,” famous MVP. “[She] doesn’t wish to forestall others from having a chance to battle for the Amanda Serrano Vacates IBF Featherweight Title, Vows To Reclaim Belt After Katie Taylor Rematch.
“[Amanda] seems to be ahead to turning into the IBF champion once more at junior welterweight and as soon as once more proudly representing the IBF. She additionally seems to be ahead to ultimately returning to featherweight and recapturing her championship.”
