Katie Taylor must avoid Amanda Serrano's power if she wants to win, says Claressa Shields
- Joe Hewlett
- 14 April 2022
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano go toe-to-toe with the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight titles on the line.
The female game is going from strengh-to-strength in the UK and around the world.
But there's one record that stands out from 2022 and that is Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will become the first two women fighters to headline Madison Square Garden in its 140-year history.
Taylor will defend her four lightweight world titles in New York and it's a contest that has been dubbed the 'Biggest Female Fight in History'.
When it comes to who the GWOAT is (Greatest woman of all-time), Taylor and Serrano can both make their claim but one person will have something to say about that - and it's Claressa Shields.
The American is a two-time Olympic champion and the quickest fighter in boxing history to win world titles in three divisions (10 fights).
Shields - who is undefeated as a pro at 12-0 - will have her own piece of history to write when she comes up against Britain's Savannah Marshall.
While the bout has not been confirmed, both have agreed to fight each other later this summer and it could take place at St James' Park - home to Newcastle United, a venue that holds 52,305 seats.
Shields may have her own huge fight to prepare for but it has not stopped her from previewing the showdown between Taylor and Serrano on April 30.
Speaking about the clash, Shields believes Taylor must avoid the power of Serrano if she is going to prevail in the Big Apple.
"Amanda Serrano needs to go in there and impose her will on Katie Taylor, don't go and box with Katy Taylor," Shields began.
"Katie is slick, she's fast, she doesn't care to be on the inside and the outside, but she does have problems with pressure fighters. She can't perform and use her great skills if you just come and attack her.
"We've seen that in fights with Delfine Persoon and her fight with Jessica McCaskill. Even though she won those fights, they were very lucky and she wasn't able to look as good as she always looks.
"She needs to go to Amanda Serrano's body," Shields said.
Great rds of sparring with @jayson_velez & @ken_BankOnit
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) April 13, 2022
While the rest of these monsters Gary ‘Kid’ Stark, @_prettyboypablo & my sister Cindy rooted us on. Like I needed these monsters going harder 😫😜
Feeling Amazing 🙏 pic.twitter.com/rxnG8IPYoE
"Amanda Serrano is a big puncher, if you don't take the wind out of her, you're going to get [hit] with those big shots all night.
"So one, she needs to go to the body, keep that speed, keep that skill and never stand in front of her, and I believe she could get the victory."
"If I have to give a decision, I'd say Amanda Serrano split decision."
