Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30 knockouts) addresses the media and crowd forward of her July 20 combat versus Stevie Morgan (14-1, 13 KOs). Photograph credit score: Esther Lin, Most Helpful Promotions
Amanda Serrano has parted with one other one in all her infants.
The troublesome determination 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 12 months. 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.
“Immediately, we knowledgeable the IBF that Amanda Serrano has determined to vacate her IBF featherweight championship,” Most Helpful Promotions introduced in an organization assertion. “Amanda has been honored to signify the IBF as its champion and has proudly worn the championship belt.
“Nevertheless, on account of her dedication to maneuver up in weight to combat Katie Taylor for the [undisputed] junior welterweight championship, she is unable to fulfill her IBF necessary.”
Serrano beforehand tried to defend versus IBF number-one contender Nina Meinke (18-3, 4 KOs). They had been on account of meet on March 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nevertheless, Serrano suffered a burnt cornea previous to the weigh-in and was medically disqualified on combat night time.
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 & lately at 126lbs,” Serrano mentioned on Friday. “I used to be awarded their [2023] Fighter of the [Year] & obtained a stupendous championship ring.
“I promise to come back again & regain my belt.”
Serrano vacated the WBC featherweight title on precept. The sanctioning physique refused to honor her mission of preventing 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 determination over then-WBA 126-pound titlist Erika Cruz. Their epic thriller final Feb. 4 in New York Metropolis noticed Serrano develop into Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed champion.
Total, Serrano has made six title defenses of a minimum of one title throughout her present featherweight title reign. Her most up-to-date combat on the weight got here in a 12-round determination 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 speculation is that Serrano will likely be higher acclimated to the load forward of her problem of Eire’s Taylor later this 12 months.
An identical technique was taken forward of her first combat with Taylor, for the undisputed light-weight championship. Serrano is a pure featherweight and customarily walks round beneath the light-weight restrict. She got here simply wanting dethroning Taylor, who has since claimed the absolutely 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 stop others from having a chance to combat for the Amanda Serrano Vacates IBF Featherweight Title, Vows To Reclaim Belt After Katie Taylor Rematch.
“[Amanda] seems 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 ahead to finally returning to featherweight and recapturing her championship.”
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