5 Burning Questions for Taylor-Serrano III
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When Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s blockbuster fight pulled in a staggering 108M live viewers and 65M concurrent streams on Netflix, it set a new standard for combat sports entertainment. Now as the Taylor-Serrano trilogy heads back to the streaming giant, the burning question is whether this historic women’s boxing rivalry can capture even half that audience and prove that women can headline on a global scale.
In this series, we explore five key questions shaping the biggest women’s boxing event of 2025. From who needs the decisive win to the future impact on the sport and which undercard fights deserve the spotlight, let’s break it all down:
#1. Jake Paul-Mike Tyson pulled 108M live viewers & 65M concurrent streams on Netflix. Can Taylor-Serrano 3 even hit half those numbers?
Lee: Their rematch streamed on Netflix and shattered records, drawing an average of 74 million viewers globally and becoming the most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history. The fight was also named ESPN’s 2024 Women’s Fight of the Year. Although I am not a fan of Jake Paul, he consistently finds ways to market Most Valuable Promotions events effectively. It often leads to strong viewership. I would be surprised if this one does not draw at least 50% of the audience that watched Paul-Tyson.
Evan: Ya I’m with Lee here. While it won’t have the star power that Paul and Tyson had to bring in the attention of the casual audience, I still think it can draw in at least 50% of the event’s viewership. Especially given how poorly received the Jake and Mike fight was as well. Their rematch was one of the lone bright spots of that card. Plus, as Lee also pointed out, it was one of the best fights of the year in 2024. I believe the good will they earned with that matchup, and the fact this trilogy is once again on the Netflix mantle, really should help elevate its notoriety within the mainstream audience. Bringing in those repeat viewers from their second fight, will be extremely beneficial for this trilogy.
#2. With two close, controversial fights behind them, who needs a more decisive win in the trilogy: Taylor or Serrano?
Lee: It’s easy to say Taylor needs a more decisive win, especially after what many considered a debatable decision in their last fight. But I believe Serrano needs this one more. Two of her three losses came against Taylor. Despite out-landing Taylor in both bouts according to CompuBox, Taylor’s late-fight adjustments made the difference.
Serrano has controlled the early rounds in both fights but needs to finish stronger to finally get the win. Taylor is already in the elite class of Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall as a face of the sport and an undisputed champion. A victory here could push Serrano into that same conversation.
Evan: I actually feel this is inverted to what Lee brought up. I think it’s much easier to say Serrano is the one who needs a decisive victory because she’s down 0-2. For her to lose three times against Taylor would at least on the surface level, be somewhat of a hit to her legacy. Regardless of how razor close those matchups ended up being. However, I believe Taylor is the one who needs the win more because of the narratives surrounding their prior meetings.
While I agree that Katie’s late surges and adjustments probably got her the nod on the judges scorecards, that argument only holds real weight with the first fight. Per CompuBox, Serrano outlanded Taylor 215-134 in the last four rounds of their rematch last November. Amanda was the one who came on strong down the stretch, while Taylor somewhat faded. She also got headbutted by Katie, whether accidental or not, several times throughout the fight.
In order to make the claim she’s the better fighter of the two, the Irish legend needs a definitive win the most. Otherwise, this rivalry will always be marred in debate and controversy.
#3. Can this third fight live up to the hype and surpass how great the first two were?
Lee: It’s hard for any fight to live up to this kind of hype. But, having two female boxers headline once again at Madison Square Garden is already historic. This trilogy has the potential to surpass their previous bouts, with both fighters sharpening their strengths and addressing past weaknesses.
Taylor, still unbeaten against Serrano, will aim to silence any doubt after their controversial decision last time. A Serrano win would mark a turning point in her career, while a Taylor victory would further cement her legacy. The stakes are sky-high in this undisputed junior welterweight title fight. Trilogies like this are rare, and when they deliver at this level, fans circle the date. This is a must-watch for all boxing fans.
Evan: As Lee said at the end, this fight is simply a must watch for boxing fans, point blank period. The expectations it will have because of the greatness of their first two matchups are going to be tough to meet or exceed. I’m not doubting these women though. I could see this third fight living up to the hype, and being the best of the series too.
Between how high the stakes are, MSG as the backdrop for this trilogy outing, and the fantastic Irish-Puerto Rican fan rivalry to heighten it, this is as good as it gets in boxing. This could be the culmination of a Arturo Gatti-Mickey Ward type series of classic fights, but for the women. I would expect yet another slugfest when Taylor and Serrano meet in the ring for potentially the final time.
#4. What do you think this Taylor-Serrano rivalry has meant for the health and future of women’s boxing?
Lee: This fight represents progress toward equality in sports, with women athletes breaking barriers once again. While women’s boxing has featured many stars, no rivalry has been bigger than Serrano-Taylor. Clarissa Shields may be the sport’s biggest name, but this rivalry is its biggest story.
The future of women’s boxing remains uncertain. Which young fighters will carry the torch when current stars like Taylor, Serrano, Shields, Marshall, and Baumgardner retire? Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions is shaking up the scene by signing rising female talent, potentially marking a turning point.
With smart investment, marketing, and fan engagement, women’s boxing can thrive. The future is unpredictable, but for now, we should appreciate this era where female fighters have finally taken center stage.
Evan: It’s hard to put into words and encapsulate what this series has meant to women’s boxing overall. It has been arguably the equivalent of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Márquez rivalry. It’s been sort of similar to what fighters like Cyborg Santos, Gina Carano, and Ronda Rousey did for women’s MMA. Or what Caitlin Clark has done for the WNBA. Both Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have helped elevate women’s boxing to a level it’s never been before.
The fact that their trilogy bout is headlining an event from Madison Square Garden, is being broadcast on a entertainment giant like Netflix, and is a card featuring all women, speaks volumes to what their rivalry has done for the sport. They’re true pioneers and legends of boxing, who have delivered a series of fights that will be hard to replicate. As for the future of women’s boxing, I also think it’s a bit murky to say what this rivalry will mean for it. With that being said, the amount of young girls that have been exposed to the sport because of their fights is probably astronomical.
Additionally, having a prominent name like Jake Paul utilize his MVP promotional company as a support for women’s boxing has only been a good thing so far. The future might be hard to predict… But one thing’s for certain, Taylor and Serrano will have left women’s boxing in a much better place than when they entered it.
#5. Beyond the main event, which fight or fighter on this card deserves more attention?
Lee: Savannah Marshall vs. Shadasia Green is the fight fans should keep an eye on. This 10-round super middleweight unification bout marks Marshall’s return to boxing after more than two years away. During her hiatus, she competed in MMA, but now faces a tough challenge in current WBO titleholder Shadasia Green.
In a division short on depth, it makes perfect sense for the hard-hitting Marshall to clash with an equally powerful opponent. Green needs to start fast and test Marshall’s potential ring rust. The winner is likely to face The Ring’s No. 1 contender, Franchon Crews-Dezurn.
Honorable mention goes to Alycia Baumgardner. I’m curious how fans will react after her positive test for a banned substance. Physically, she still looks in peak condition.
Evan: It’s hard to argue with Lee’s choice of Marshall-Green. It’s probably the most meaningful matchup outside of the main event on the card. However, I’m going to pick Alycia Baumgardner. She’s undoubtedly the fighter with the most star potential here, aside from Taylor and Serrano. Now that she’s signed under Jake Paul’s MVP banner too. So, it should only benefit her ability to thrive within the sport.
Baumgardner has the skills, bravado, and looks to be a marketable name. A victory over Jennifer Miranda would line up some interesting options for Alycia, setting her up for a potential move up in weight against the Taylor-Serrano winner or a catchweight bout with her former rival Mikaela Mayer. Both would be massive fights for Baumgardner to entertain.
Ellie Scotney and Tammara Thibeault are two other names fight fans should keep their eyes on. Scotney is the current IBF and WBO super bantamweight champion. She’s undefeated and at just 27 years old, has an opportunity to gain a third title at 122 pounds when she faces WBC champion Yamileth Mercado. If the London native can defeat Mercado on a stage like this, Scotney can build some serious momentum with the backing of the English fans and MVP promotional power behind her.
Thibeault on the other hand is a former two-time Olympian and another Jake Paul MVP signee. She’s only 2-0, but is an exciting name to watch out for. She’ll take on fellow undefeated prospect and Pittsburgh native Mary Casamassa. Look out for Thibeault to make some noise at middleweight within the next year or so.
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