Amanda Serrano shows true colours with last-minute Katie Taylor fight demand

Amanda Serrano told her cutsman he couldn't work in two separate corners ahead of her showdown with Katie Taylor.

Serrano, 36, is itching to pick up her first win over her long-time rival. The pair first met back in 2022, with Taylor going on to win on points. The boxing stars met for a second time last November - with the Bray brawler picking up her second win over the 'Real Deal,' winning on points yet again.

The boxing star's only other defeat came at the hands of Frida Wallberg back in 2012. Serrano is the only female - and Puerto Rican - to win world titles in more than four weight classes and also holds the Guinness World Record for the most boxing world championships won in different weight-classes by a female - having held nine major world titles across seven different weight classes.

In order to finally get one over Taylor, Serrano has enlisted the help of some big names. The 36-year-old has acquired the services of legendary cutsman Mike Bazzel - at the expense of Ellie Scotney. Scotney - who faces Yamileth Mercado on the undercard - has been forced to bring in veteran Kerry Kayes after Serrano blocked Bazzel from working both corners.

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Serrano - who has a long association with the Californian - insisted that Bazzel worked “with her and only her” according to a number of well-placed sources. “Kerry got the call and he’s flying out to the States," one boxing insider told SportsBoom. "Ellie was due to use the same person to deal with any cuts as Amanda. But that’s not happening, because she (Serrano) insisted that he only worked with her on the show. She didn’t want him doing two corners.

“It wouldn’t have made any difference to his work, and it all seems a bit silly to be honest. It’s perfectly normal for people to double up at events like this and, usually, there’s only an issue if the same cutman or woman works with two people who are up against each other.

“That’s not the case here, though, so it does seem a bit strange. It is what it is. Fortunately, Ellie is chilled about it all and it won’t distract her. After all, Kerry is one of the best in the business, not only in the UK but also across the entire world.”

Scotney, 27, will move a step closer to becoming the undisputed super-bantamweight champion with a win over Mercado - having retained her IBF, WBO and Ring magazine titles by securing a points decision over Mea Motu earlier this year. Mercado - who holds the WBC belt - is an experienced fighter and has the ability to stun Scotney on fight night.

Following the news about Bazzel, Scotney launched a worldwide search for a replacement before settling on Kayes. Kayes - a former bodybuilder and leading nutritionist - also boasts an exceptional reputation for his corner and was last seen helping Jack Catterall during his win over Harlem Eubank last weekend.

When is Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano?

Taylor's mouthwatering clash with Serrano will take place on Friday, July 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It is scheduled to begin at around 1am BST on Saturday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Friday). In the main event, Serrano will make the walk to the ring first at around 4am BST on Saturday (8pm PT / 10pm CT / 11pm ET on Friday) with Taylor set to follow immediately after.

Fans can watch all the action live on Netflix. For boxing fans, the event will come at no additional cost to Netflix subscription holders. If you don't hold a Netflix subscription, packages start from £5.99 / $7.99 per month, with the most expensive membership priced at £18.99 / $24.99.