Issuu

WELCOME

FROM EDDIE HEARN, JAKE PAUL AND NAKISA BIDARIAN

ello and welcome to Madison Square Garden in New York, where two of the very best fighters on the planet make history in this famed boxing mecca. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the sport’s biggest trailblazers and tonight, they become the first female pugilists to headline ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’ since it opened its doors 140-years ago. Katie and Amanda have both been dedicated to the sport for decades, and although they’ve taken different paths to get here – there’s no doubt that we’re witnessing two of the greatest female fighters of all-time in a moment that will go down in history. Both fighters know this is a moment never to forget that will inspire generations to come – but there’s also a fight to be won. Irish sensation Katie is defending her undisputed Lightweight titles for the sixth time, while Puerto Rican born, Brooklyn raised seven-weight World ruler, Serrano, aims to hold all the belts in the division. There’s a stacked card in support of this historic main event, led by a real crunch clash between Jessie Vargas

and Liam Smith. Both men believe they will knock the other one into retirement, and both still harbor ambitions of becoming World champion again, all the ingredients are there for a blockbuster. Taking a lead from the main event, Franchon CrewsDezurn and Elin Cederoos will clash to crown an undisputed champion at Super-Middleweight, and a third female clash on the card sees Australian Olympian and Commonwealth gold medal winner Skye Nicolson fighting in the paid ranks for the third time. Olympic Gold medal star Galal Yafai makes his American debut and defends his WBC International Flyweight Title against Miguel Cartagena in his second pro fight, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams is in a tough test with fellow unbeaten Middleweight Chordale Booker, Reshat Mati is always popular in his home city and the ‘Albanian Bear’ meets Joe Eli Hernandez over eight rounds and Light-Heavyweight talent Khalil Coe makes the short trip from Jersey City to face William Langston over six. Thank you for your support and have a great night. ■

Programme Editor: Anthony Leaver Contributors: Daniel Barnard, Jamie Ward, Scott Hammerton and Caitlin Bennett Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Cover: Adam Insam Photographs: Ed Mulholland and Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante

TAYLOR

MADE

atie Taylor and Amanda Serrano reach for greatness once again in their glittering careers – and Taylor believes that this is the night she proves she’s the best fighter in the world in the biggest female fight of all time. Taylor defends the undisputed World Lightweight crown she won in this arena in an epic battle with Delfine Persoon in June 2019, on the undercard of the Heavyweight World title clash between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz. The Irish sensation has already defended the belts five times in England, but for the biggest night of her professional career Taylor returns to the most famous arena in the world on a night that will showcase the very best of women’s boxing – a landmark moment in a stunning career for a true pioneer of the sport. “I’m very proud that in five years of being a pro, I am involved in the biggest fight in women’s boxing history,” said Taylor. “I’ve always wanted to be a history-maker from back in my amateur days and now as a pro; I did it then and I’m doing it now, but my mind is focused on the fight itself and bringing the best of me and showing it to the world. “I think it’s hard to pinpoint one achievement but the growth of women’s boxing in the last few years, that fills me with pride. When I first turned pro, we didn’t really know how this journey was going to go with the perception of it at the time, so seeing how there’s household names that are women and that’s fantastic, so to be a part of that is brilliant and it means as much as the World titles and the victories. “You dream of things like this when you are a kid, lacing the gloves up for the first time as a ten-yearold - winning World titles, fighting at Madison Square Garden, becoming undisputed there and now headlining - you do think of that when you are a kid.

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“I LOVE BEING INVOLVED IN THESE KINDS OF FIGHTS. THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT I’VE ALWAYS WANTED” “The atmosphere is always electric at MSG; you can almost feel those iconic moments from the past when you are there. There’s going to be a lot of Irish fans in the building, I think it could easily be a 50-50 crowd with a lot of Amanda’s fans too, so it’s going to make for an amazing atmosphere.” It promises to be a noisy and colorful affair tonight in the stands, with the Irish fans decked in green, white, and orange, and Serrano’s Puerto Rican and American faithful in red, white, and blue – with both sets of supporters sure to raise the roof for their girl. Serrano has created history in her own right, plundering World titles in an astonishing seven weight classes over her 13-year strong career. The Puerto Rican born Brooklyn native fights in the main room at MSG for the first time and in her first undisputed bout and has more than gained the respect of her foe as they smash more ceilings tonight. “Amanda is technically sound, experienced and she has a bit of power, but I think I have all of that as well,” said Taylor. “There’s nothing she has that I am worried about, I’ve faced plenty of brilliant fighters before as an amateur and pro, I know what she brings to the table. She’s a seven-weight World champion, you don’t get there without quality and talent. I’m prepared, I’ve got a great team around me and it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. “It really is a genuine 50-50 fight; I know that. I don’t think about A-side or B-side. I step in the ring knowing I can win the fight and believing I will win the fight, our styles will gel to make it exciting, and it’s going to deliver and live up to the billing. This is a legacy fight, career-defining.

“I like to think that winning makes me pound-for-pound number one, but it’s very subjective. There’s Amanda, Claressa Shields, myself - you look at the men’s game and while Canelo looks number one, people talk about Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Errol Spence, Naoya Inoue; it’s difficult, but it’s nice to be in the conversation. “This is just a special occasion for me, to headline a huge fight like this at Madison Square Garden. It’s being billed as the biggest fight in female boxing history. This is just incredible and a real privilege for me. “I love being involved in these kinds of fights. These are the challenges that I’ve always wanted. I don’t think I’ve ever backed down from any challenge. I’ve wanted to face the very best. “Amanda is a fantastic fighter, she’s a great champion and she’s not here for no reason. She deserves this opportunity as well. She’s been pioneering her own way and that’s why this fight is the best in female boxing history. We have champion versus champion. The best versus the best and this is why this fight is so special. “You think of Madison Square Garden, and you think the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier these kinds of fights. It’s years and years later we’re still talking Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier kind of fights. I think years and years later from this fight people are still going to be talking about Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano.” While the prizes on offer and the professional pride both fighters have is more than enough to make it a monstrous fight, the fact that it will be talked about for decades to come and will inspire generations of young girls to take up the sport is just as important for Taylor. “I feel very privileged to be in this position and to be an inspiration to the next generation and to have those young girls look up to me,” said Taylor. “It’s a huge responsibility as well and I want to set a great example for these young girls coming up. I want to give them hope and I want them to know the dreams they have in their hearts can be possible. “Growing up I had to pretend I was a boy to get fights. I had the headgear on, and my hair tucked into the headgear. They just had my name down as K. Taylor and obviously when the headgear came off there was an uproar because all the judges and officials saw I was a girl. “I’m also very grateful for the women that went before me – the likes of Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty, Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali who were pioneers in their sport. I don’t think that I’d be in the position I’m in today if it wasn’t for all those girls who went before me. I’m obviously very grateful for those who went before me. “I don’t crave the attention or crave the media attention. I don’t want to be famous; I just want to be the best boxer in the world.” ■

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“I LIKE TO THINK THAT WINNING MAKES ME POUNDFOR-POUND NUMBER ONE”

BROOKLYN’S BORIQUA

QUEEN

manda Serrano is no stranger to making history – and the Puerto Rican born, Brooklyn native adds more to her remarkable resume by facing Katie Taylor for the undisputed Lightweight championship in the first ever female fight to headline Madison Square Garden. “Being a Latina from Brooklyn, I’m excited to say, ‘I’ve made it.’ I’m fighting the main event at Madison Square Garden! I’m making seven figures, something I never thought could happen in my lifetime growing up Latina in Brooklyn.” Serrano is already regarded as one of the greatest female fighters of all time, entering the fight as a seven-weight World champion. As one of the most decorated Hispanic female athletes of all time, Serrano will strive for greatness once again as she looks to become the undisputed champion for the first time in her career. Saturday, April 30th will be a date noted in the sporting industry as two of the best in the business go head to head promising a fight that will no doubt cement itself as a cornerstone in boxing history. “This is for the fans, the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world going for the undisputed 135lb title, it’s amazing,” said Serrano. “I am in my prime now. I’m smarter, quicker, and stronger than I was just two years ago. It’s funny how the mind and body work. I’ve been a professional for 13 years and I now feel it’s all coming together. It’s not an easy sport, but I feel great now and am only getting better,” Serrano will step through the ropes for the 45th time in the paid ranks, in her 13th year as a pro and her 15th World title bout – to underline what a storied career the 33 year old has had to date. Many would settle for what Serrano has achieved, but the trailblazing southpaw says that she isn’t doing this just for her own trophy cabinet, but to inspire the next generation. “I never thought I would be where I am now: one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said Serrano. “I never thought I would be World champion, never in a million years thought I would be seven-weight

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World champion. I am not here for a lot longer, so this is for the girls that are coming through, it’s for them to look at us and see what they can achieve.” Not only is this Serrano’s first time headlining at the world-renowned venue in New York City, but it’s the first time in Madison Square Garden’s 140 year history that two women are taking center ring as the headlining bout. “I’ve never fought at MSG; I did a tour there recently and then we did the press conference there; I was in awe of it, and I am so honored to be fighting here,” said Serrano. “I made history at the Hulu Theater by becoming sevenweight World champion and I won the Golden Gloves there too - it’s full circle now being able to headline in the main room following some of the greats,” Serrano said. “I hope that we show we can perform, that we can bring people to the seats, we can bring excitement to the sport of boxing and I’m just hoping it’s not the last time women get this recognition, acknowledgement and pay.”

“I’M YOUNGER, I’M STRONGER, I CAN BOX, BRAWL, I’M SMART AND I HAVE A GREAT TEAM” Serrano’s foe tonight has played her part in the rise of women’s boxing, with Taylor playing a pivotal role in getting women’s boxing into the Olympics, then adding Olympic Gold in 2012 to her five World Championship and six European Championship golds; a stellar amateur career that has translated into World title success in the pros. “Everyone knows Katie,” said Serrano. “She’s done a great job becoming a household name and raising the profile of the sport as I have too. Katie is a gold medalist, lots of amateur wins and medals, I didn’t do that, but I’ve had a lot in the pros - so we’ve both earned our way to the top and it’s two great fighters going at it in the biggest female fight of all time.” “I’m younger, I’m stronger, I can box, brawl, I’m smart and I have a great team. I am ready for any plan she comes with and it’s going to be very hard for her to beat me, because I am not going to just lay down. Katie has never fought a girl like me. We’ll see how things change when she gets hit by me,” she continued. “There is no reason to talk bad about our opponents. I respect her and she respects me, that’s who we are. We have a job to do, and we let our hands do the talking.

We’ve not said a bad thing about each other, and people still want to see the fight because it’s the best fighting the best; we’re going to show why we’re the greatest. You need a great dance partner to make a fight - depending on your list, Katie, Claressa Shields and I are #1, #2 and #3 in the world.” Serrano’s quest to be the pound-for-pound number one has been boosted over the last year by teaming up with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Paul, the former YouTube megastar has made waves in the sport with five pro fights to date, adding professional boxer to his long list of pursuits, and Serrano has benefitted by teaming up with him and MVP to get the Taylor fight over the line and boost her profile in the process. “Prior to teaming up with Paul and MVP, I had 80/90k on Instagram, now it’s over 300k - it just shows how big he is,” said Serrano. “When I was in Cleveland, I felt I was at home, because Jake had been pushing me and telling people who I was. It’s a younger crowd and they know who I am because of Jake. It’s so cool to see the evolution of the viewers and he’s a big reason for that,” Serrano said. Discussing how tonight’s fight came to be, Serrano noted, “the fight has been on/off for a long time. When we knew it was off, I took something from what Eddie Hearn said: ‘women need to uplift their profile to get the big fights.’ I said, ‘OK that’s what we are going to do. So, me and my team went out and got the best fights we could, took risks and chances, and then we could fight on Jake’s undercard, and we went for it.” As an MVP athlete, Serrano has worked side by side with Paul and co-founder Nakisa Bidarian to not only improve her own career, but also fight for fighter equality. Paul has been an outspoken advocate for women in boxing and equal fighter pay since his own boxing career began, which drew Serrano to the promotion company in 2021. “Jake was making noise and we wanted to showcase women’s boxing with him,” said Serrano. “After the fight we spoke, and they were excited to work with us and it was an easy decision to team up with Jake. I’ve seen it all in boxing and I knew that this was going to be exciting and we’re making great money and we have this fight thanks to Jake and Nakisa,” said Serrano. “I never thought I would be breaking down barriers for women. I kept pushing, I kept fighting and slowly but surely, it’s coming along.” “The drive comes from loving the sport but also the desire to grow women’s boxing. We’ve never been given the recognition or opportunities we deserve. I fought for pennies at the start, but I loved it, I risked it all because I am a fighter. I want to open doors for women. It’s changed and it’s exciting as it’s the best time to be a female fighter and I opened those doors, and so has Katie.” she continued. “We have had to fight ten-times harder than the men because we’re just not fighting for ourselves. We are fighting for recognition, we are fighting for acknowledgement, we are fighting for equality.” ■

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BOXING

CLEVER

essie Vargas may be embarking on a political career, but the former two-weight World champion puts his congressional campaign on hold and resumes his crusade for World honors as he meets Liam Smith in a must-win battle for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Junior Middleweight title. Vargas and Smith were set to clash in February, finally meeting in a fight that has been on the cards since they met in this storied arena in June 2019 at the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz fight, but Vargas caught COVID to return to the waiting game. The Las Vegas man now returns to the ring for the first time since facing Mikey Garcia in February 2020, and this fight has simmered nicely to a boil in the Big Apple, with both men knowing that victory puts them on the cusp of a World title shot, and defeat could spell the end of the road. “I always come to fight,” said Vargas. “There’s not been one boring fight in my career, and I pride myself on that. People are always entertained when they come to a Jessie Vargas fight. I will make sure that the fans enjoy the night, as I always have. I am an entertainer, I always have been, and I give it my all. I am sure Liam is going to give it everything too, so expect fireworks and a great fight. “We met at AJ-Ruiz, and he came over to me and we spoke about the fight and agreed that it would be a good one. We spoke to Eddie Hearn about it, and we all knew that we both wanted it and it’s been in the works ever since. “Liam has been talking a lot of smack, I don’t know who he thinks he is and if he’s forgotten who he is facing. He’s not being himself and I’m going to put a stop to it tonight. He’s awoken the lion, people show up, but you don’t trash talk me and if you do, I come in a different person. “He’s very basic, that’s his work. If he wants to say he

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comes on in the second half, good for him, but he’s a basic fighter and I am going to exploit his weaknesses and I am going to take him out. He has contradicted himself, he said if he doesn’t beat me, he’s going to retire, so he’s already thinking about retiring - and I am going to beat him so I will make him retire. He sees that he’s done if he doesn’t win, but when a fighter says that he’s ready to hang them up. “Liam has taken other fights since we started talking about it, it’s not on me that the fight hasn’t happened yet, but we have a date now and I am going to take him out. “He’s a good fighter. He’s a nice guy. He surprised me when he was sending me messages on Instagram

“HE’S AWOKEN THE LION. YOU DON’T TRASH TALK ME. IF YOU DO, I COME IN A DIFFERENT PERSON” and then telling others that I feared him for some reason. It seemed a little odd coming from him as we’ve spoken face-to-face and he didn’t come across that way, but when he’s not in front of me he changes it up a little bit and says I’m ducking him.” Vargas first became World champion in April 2014 at Super-Lightweight and then stepped up to Welterweight to land the WBO crown at 147lbs two years later. The 32-year-old has been knocking on the door to become a three-time World champion since Manny Pacquaio took that Welterweight crown from him in November 2016. Although the Garcia fight happened at Welterweight, Vargas is channeling his energy into making his return to champion status a three-weight one, and while Smith believes he’s too big for Vargas, the American disagrees resoundingly. “Victory would show that I need to be recognized as a top fighter at 154lbs,” said Vargas. “I dropped down to 147lbs for the Garcia fight, but honestly, I cannot make that weight anymore. This is my time to prove to boxing fans that this is my weight, it’s where I perform at my optimum level. The last time I had a fight at this weight I won by KO, and I hope to repeat that against Liam.

“I think I pick him apart. I think I am more versatile, more technically sound, and we’re going to prove it. “I really feel I will win World titles at 154lbs; I know I have the talent, I am working hard for it, I have a great team and I want to prove I am one of the best as I have always done. “I was feeling great, ready to take Liam out, and then I tested positive for COVID. So, this is more than a comeback fight, he’s been talking a lot. I want to show people that I am coming back better than ever. Why? Because I’ve stayed in the gym, I’ve been working hard, physically active and working on something new. I am a professional athlete. This is what I do, and I want to always give the best to my fans when it comes to my performance. “I had a training camp in April 2021 when we were going to be on the Canelo show, but things didn’t go through. So we were then negotiating to fight Liam and that’s another camp, so I’ve already had two camps where we’ve worked on so much, made adjustments and we’re looking forward to performing. “I moved up to 154lbs before and beat Humberto Soto by KO, but we moved back to 147lbs to fight Mikey Garcia because it was the right move to make. I always knew that Light-Welterweight was a division that I could do well in. I’m excited to be back in there and showing that I am here to stay, I’m an elite fighter that always performs and entertains the fans.” Vargas has been in the entertainment business since first lacing them up in September 2008, but while the ambitions remain high in the ring, Vargas’ attentions have turned to politics. Vargas is running to represent Nevada’s 4th U.S. Congressional District and although Smith has pointed to this as him looking to his next career, Vargas says it’s far from the case, and more about finding a new work-life balance. “There’s no more alone time, me time,” said Vargas. “I’m either in the gym training, I am working on my campaign, or I am with my daughter; those are the three things I focus on. It’s about time management, and it’s a lot to handle, but when you are passionate about something, you make it work. I love my country, I love boxing, so I am going to beat Liam in New York and then I am going to win in the primary elections in June, and then the general elections. “Everyone knows I am willing to fight anyone. That’s the fighter in me, the heart I’ve got, and I take on every battle. I’m going into the biggest battle of my life - running for U.S Congress - and I am not intimidated at all. I take these type of threats seriously and I am going to take him out, he’s said I’m scared to fight him - slow it down a bit, I’m going to knock him out.” ■

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MAKE HISTORY ONE ROUND AT A TIME.

UNDISPUTED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION

RAW

BEEFY

iam Smith believes he still has what it takes to become a two-time World champion – and putting a simmering rivalry with Jessie Vargas to bed tonight can put him in pole position to challenge for a World crown. Smith and Vargas meet for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Junior Middleweight title in a fight that will determine the next chapters of both careers. The winner will close in on a shot at the title, while the loser will face questions over their future in the sport. ‘Beefy’ has been the more active of the two, with a KO win over local Liverpool rival Anthony Fowler in October following a harsh points defeat in Russia last May to Magomed Kurbanov, while Vargas has been out of the ring since tasting defeat for the third time in his career against Mikey Garcia in Texas in February 2020. Tonight’s fight has been on the cards for some time now, long before it was postponed in February after Vargas caught COVID, and there’s been plenty of back and forth between the former World rulers. Vargas has been sparring in the political sphere too, launching a campaign to running to represent Nevada’s 4th U.S. Congressional District, and while he believes he’ll be the man to challenge for World honors once again, Smith feels the Las Vegas man is already looking at his next career and will pay the price tonight. “You question if he wants to be here,” said Smith. “I have this thing in my mind; he’s running for Congress, he hasn’t boxed for two years, he’s only got one fight left on his contract, so is this his last hurrah? Give me one more payday and I’ll move into politics? “He’s very good technically, he’s got that typical Mexican American style and he likes to fight, meaning, he’s more of a boxer but he doesn’t shy away from a fight. “I know he’s a nice guy but for some reason, there’s a bit of needle there. I boxed Sam Eggington in March 2019, and Eddie mentioned Jessie’s name in the ring, and I thought, ‘yeah, you promote him, I’d like that’. We jumped on it, he fought Garcia which was cool — but that was two years ago, and he could have fought me in those two years.

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“I met Jessie here at the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz fight when Callum was on the card, and we shook hands on the fight, so it just did my head in a bit not because I was chasing him and he’s a big money fight or a World title fight, I was after him because neither of us were going to get a title shot and it’s a very good fight. “When I look at the landscape of the 154lb division, I believe I can be World champion again. If I didn’t, I would retire because I’m happy, I’ve got two lovely daughters, I’ve ruled the world - so I could retire a happy man. People would bite your hand off for the career I’ve had, but I am realistic I look at the champions and contenders and think ‘I can beat him, him and him’ so I am not done yet, I still have that fire in me.” That fire in Smith was set in his teenage years and by growing up with three brothers that have all achieved so much in the sport. All four Smith brothers have been British champion and the youngest of the fab four, Callum, became the second to be World champion in September 2018.

“HE’S ONLY LOST TO PACQUIAO, BRADLEY, GARCIA AND SOON, TO LIAM SMITH” Older brothers Paul and Stephen have said goodbye to fighting, but Liam and Callum continue to lace them up, and there could well be more in-ring celebration to add to the family album before all four of Mrs. Smith’s boys are out of the firing line. “I’m just one of the lads, just a normal kid,” said Smith. “When I won my World title I would have loved to have said ‘I have dreamt of this moment since I was a kid’, but I hadn’t. I wanted to play football for Liverpool. It was only around the age of 17/18 that the penny dropped, and I thought ‘I might be alright at this’. So, to be sitting here 20 years on and having made a career out of it, I can only be proud. “It probably won’t be recognized for a long time what we achieved. We’ve all been British champions, three of us at the same time, and Callum would probably have been British champion then too, but Paul held the belt at Super-Middleweight. People might think it’s an act but when the cameras are off, we meet for coffee after

training, going round to mum and dads or each other’s houses. We’ve been around each other every day for our careers and in life outside the ring, so we’re very lucky. “I’ve lived a good, clean life, I’ve dedicated myself to the sport and as a family, we’re boxing through and through. My dad loves it; my mum hates it, but I think she likes the discipline it gave us. She’s always there to pick up the pieces, people see the fights and the celebrations, but they don’t see the downs; through camp or losing a title. Her happiest day will be when we’ve all retired, but she’s got four lads that are very disciplined and we’ve got respect and manners, but she’ll be happy when we’re done.” But Smith is not done yet. The WBA strap is held by Jermell Charlo, who will meet Brian Castano in a rematch next month to crown an undisputed champion at Super-Welterweight, so tonight’s winner will be staking a claim to meet that man later this year. Smith has always campaigned at 154lbs while former two-weight ruler Vargas’ clash with Garcia was at 147lbs. The Briton wants to add his name to the elite list of men to beat Vargas and thinks his natural advantages over the American will prove to be the difference in a crowd-pleasing battle. “He’s only lost to Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, Mikey Garcia and soon, to Liam Smith,” said Smith. “We’re in boxing to be in good fights and he’s one that I want to get rid of. “Ultimately, I’m going to be too big and too strong for him. I’m a fully-fledged 154lber, I’ve been there my whole career and he’s gone from Light-Welter to Welter and now SuperWelter. If you can make 147lbs you are not a proper 154lber just yet and I think that’s going to play a part. “Jessie - make sure you are ready. If this is your last hurrah, if it is, let’s give the fans a great fight and one they can talk about. I do think that you are going to get that, I’m not just saying that, I like to be in good fights, I don’t come to hold, I don’t come to make it a bore fest or awkward; I come to fight and I think he’s got that in him too, so I think you are going to get a good fight but a Liam Smith win.” ■

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CREWS

CONTROL

ranchon Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederroos can make history tonight as the first undisputed World SuperMiddleweight champions in women’s boxing – and Crews-Dezurn believes it’s her destiny to walk away with all the belts tonight. Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos were due to clash in September but the Swede was forced out of the hotly anticipated clash, leading it to be shelved for a second time, having also been slated for June but cancelled for the first time. The American has taken the disappointments in her stride though and believing the ‘everything happens for a reason’, the fight now lands on an historic night for fighting females, with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano clashing in the main event. “I never thought I would be here,” said Crews-Dezurn. “I just started boxing to lose weight for singing, in my mind, I was going to be the next Brandy or Mya, or in the next Destiny’s Child. “I was on ‘American Idol’ when it was new and they said that I had talent and potential, I had the ‘It Factor’. But at that time, I wasn’t ready. Simon Cowell said to me: ‘are you a boxer?’ I said yes, and he said: ‘well, you can’t be good at everything’. And I told him that if I am not the American Idol, I will be the Middleweight champion of the world - I am a bit extra, so I became Super-Middleweight champion of the world. “My team talk to me about the one per cent club. Not everyone becomes a world champion. Not everyone even gets a shot at it. So, to join those ranks it makes everything that I have been though, from fighting a drugs cheat to missing out on the Olympics, losing on my debut, losing my mother – everything has been worth it. “I do deserve it and I am going to get it. I am going to walk away with all five belts. It’s going to be entertaining I don’t think she’s ever been in with someone like me. I am smart, strong, I adapt, I am putting on a show.” The confidence Crews-Dezurn carries is down in no small part to the team she has around her. From trainer Barry Hunter, manager Peter Kahn and mentor in the shape of modern great Bernard Hopkins. “You have to surround yourself with what you want to be, and I want to be great,” said Crews-Dezurn. “I have a world class coach and a boxing legend in Bernard Hopkins as a mentor. It’s surreal for me because I call him a friend. But I also realize, ‘wow, he’s a legend’, he doesn’t need to be here working with me, so for him to actually walk me through the steps and say

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“I DESERVE IT AND I AM GOING TO GET IT. I AM GOING TO WALK AWAY WITH ALL FIVE BELTS” ‘when I was becoming undisputed I felt this’ he takes the time to talk to me and I feel those things, I’m very empathetic, so I try to match that mentality. It means the world to me because I came from the bottom, I’m a grassroots boxer, I moved from Virginia to Baltimore and didn’t know if I was going to keep boxing and now I am on one of the biggest stages in boxing history. “I am very excited because it’s been a trying year. We were meant to fight last year but it didn’t work out. Everything happens for a reason. I met my manager Peter Kahn who put everything together for me and shout out to Matchroom and Eddie Hearn for realising how important this fight is and to put it on such an historic card, it’s made it even bigger. Four women fighting for two undisputed titles at Madison Square Garden means the world to me. It was a little discouraging when the first fight got cancelled, but my team and I stayed focused, Peter told me to stay ready and now we’re here.” Crews-Dezurn’s focus is more impressive given the setbacks that she has suffered. The 34-year-old missed out on the Olympics and then lost to Claressa Shields on her pro debut. After winning a world title in just her fifth pro fight and unifying in her seventh, Alejandra Jimenez took the titles from her via split decision, only to fail a drugs test, and more recently and painfully, the loss of her mother. Crews-Dezurn uses all of those experiences to drive her on to achieve her goal of becoming undisputed tonight – and go on to even greater things from this platform. “I’ve been elite in boxing since I was an amateur,” said CrewsDezurn. “Twelve years on Team USA and then turning pro and winning a World title in my fifth fight. I feel that I’m a little bit underrated. I’ve fought Claressa, I’ve fought World contenders and beaten them, and I still don’t get recognition. I’ve always had Elin on my radar. She doesn’t have my experience, but she is a champion and I respect her. In her last fight she dropped a former champion, but I am not her - she’s going to have to worry about me more than I am about her. I have trained to be the best version of myself and show why I deserve to be undisputed. “There’s a lot of respect with Claressa, we had to go down the same path. She’s set the bar so high, I’ve done a lot of work in boxing especially being a black woman, but Claressa took the spot and ran with it. She has opened a lot of doors so that the rest of us could walk through them. I say it’s like a Jordan and Pippen or Venus and Serena type thing. When we fight again, it’s going to be work time but at the end of the day, I have mine, she has hers, and we keep pushing each other to grow and keep getting better. Some little girl is going to see that and say, ‘hey I can do that too’ and that’s cool.” ■

DU GAMLA,

DU FRIA

weden’s Elin Cederoos bids to become the undisputed Super-Middleweight World champion when she takes on WBC and WBO ruler Franchon Crews-Dezurn on a monumental night for women’s boxing. IBF and WBA champion Cederroos (8-0, 4 KOs) is ranked #1 with Ring Magazine at 168lbs and the undefeated former pro soccer playerturned elite fighter will be looking to add the Virginia fighter’s belts to her straps and make it back-to-back wins over American fighters in her second fight in the US. The 36-year-old made her Stateside bow against Alicia Napoleon-Espinosa in Atlantic City in January 2020, crucially flooring the New Yorker in the second round on the way to unifying the IBF strap with NapoleonEspinosa’s WBA title by one point on all three cards.

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

“I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FIGHT FOR SO LONG - BUT THIS HAS MADE IT WORTH THE WAIT” The pair have been itching to get their hands on each other and find the #1 at Super-Middleweight, and now they get their chance on the biggest platform possible, with Katie Taylor and Amana Serrano meeting in the biggest female fight of all time – and both Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos are ready to shine in the spotlight. “When I played soccer I was a defender, in the middle,” said Cederroos. “My physique was big and strong for a defender, so that was a great preparation to become a boxer. When I was a team player in soccer there were some of my teammates that gave 80 percent, and I always gave 100 percent. I didn’t like it. And when I found boxing, I felt that all I gave to boxing I got out of it as well. “When I was 25 or 26 I decided I’d had enough, and I had to stop thinking about being a boxer,” she said. “I decided to have a child, so I stopped boxing after my first child. It is easier to mix up an individual sport with the family (duties). I had my baby with me during training, and then I had a second child, and sometimes we took their friends to the gym, so we had four kids in the gym, with my trainer and me, and that was so good. And that was not a possibility that I had in soccer. “I have been waiting for this fight for so long now - but this has made it worth the wait. To be fighting at Madison Square Garden is a dream come true and to be doing so on such an historic night for women’s boxing is a real honor. I know that Franchon is confident that she will win, but she’s never fought anyone like me. I will be taking those belts back to Sweden and making it a night I will never forget.” ■

THE GOLDEN BOY

HITS NYC

lympic Gold Medallist Galal Yafai fights for the second time as a professional tonight. It was straight into Title contention for the 29 year old, who landed the WBC International Flyweight crown on debut with a fifth round stoppage over Carlos Vado Bautista at The O2, London back in February. “I was pretty relaxed for the pro debut. My fight before that was the Olympic final, so the pressure for that was immense which put me in a good place for the first one.” The Birmingham native was awarded with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his heroics at the Tokyo Games, a title he shares with his coach and mentor Rob McCracken MBE. “Rob is an immense coach with a great boxing brain in and out of the ring. Obviously I’ve been with him during my career with Team GB and the Olympics, now he’s leading things in my pro career.” McCracken guided Carl Froch and Anthony Joshua to World Title success in recent years, which Yafai believes will help with his charge to the top. “His experience is definitely rubbing off, just look at the names he’s trained. Rob’s great to have around and even away from the gym. He has a way that he can bring me back down to earth and keep my head in the game. We’re both quite laid back so we get on well.” The Yafai name has been prominent in British boxing for a decade with Brothers Kal, 32, holding the WBA World SuperFlyweight Title between 2016-2019 and Gamal, 30, a previous European and Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Champion. “They have had enormous success in their own right but I’m going down my own path. Anything we do collectively adds

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

“THIS IS A HISTORY MAKING EVENT WHICH I’M PROUD TO BE A PART OF”

value to the family name, it’s a privilege not a pressure to represent the Yafai family.” Olympic glory followed Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia for Yafai who is confident of making a smooth transition and repeating his amateur accolades in the professional ranks. “The gloves are a little bit smaller and trainings a bit more intense but I’m sure it’ll work out the same as the amateurs. The five round fights in the World Series of Boxing has almost allowed for me to have a head start. The Russian, Cuban and Kazakh opponents open your learning to mixing it with a range of styles.” In the opposite corner to Yafai tonight stands Miguel Cartagena (17-6-1, 8 KO’s). “He’s very experienced. There’s a few previous World Champions on his resume so he’ll be looking to say I’ve made a mistake but I’m ready for this.” Cartagena is coming off the back of successive knockout wins and will no doubt be roared on by the Puerto Rican fans in attendance for our main event. “With Amanda and Miguel’s heritage, I might get a few boos from the fans but hopefully the Irish can get behind me! He won’t be looking to survive, he’ll be looking to win which is what I want. It’ll make it a good fight for the fans.” Yafai knows he must remain switched on throughout to move one step closer to his goal of emulating other Brit’s who landed Olympic Gold followed by World Title. “Anthony Joshua, James DeGale and there’s probably a few others who went on to win World Titles after Olympic triumph, so it’s as big list but I’m confident I’ll join them. I’m better suited to the pro game.” ■

FEAR

iguel Cartagena says Galal Yafai’s handlers have made a huge mistake by picking him as an opponent for the Tokyo Olympic champion’s big American debut. Cartagena (17-6-1, 8 KOs) heads into his ten round WBC International Flyweight title clash with Birmingham’s Yafai on the back of two stoppage wins on Mexican soil in 2020 and 2021. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican who resides in Philadelphia turned professional way back in 2011 and believes his superior experience in the paid code will be the difference tonight. “This is a huge opportunity for me and one I’ve been waiting for,” said Cartagena. “It’s a huge card. I’m excited. This is big stage. I know they think this is a showcase for him, but they are in for a rude awakening. “I wanted this fight. I’ve been asking for it. I know the Puerto Rican fans will be there supporting me and I don’t plan on disappointing them. They made a mistake and tonight they are going to find out. “In the amateurs you get way more experience than you do in the pros. You’re fighting back to back against different styles all of the time. You have to adapt to different styles and abilities. “He’s fresh out of the amateurs. I’ve already been a pro for eleven years and I’m a lot calmer and more in tune with my pro style. I feel like it’s going to be a clash of amateur versus pro. “One man is going down. It’s going to be me or it’s going to be him. That’s just how I feel. I don’t think this fight is going to go to a decision. This isn’t going ten rounds.” ■

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LIVE

AMMO

ustin Williams has his sights set on big title fights with a pair of Britons as he looks to land his first belt against fellow unbeaten Middleweight Chordale Booker for the WBA Continental Americas Middleweight belt. Williams returned to action in December after taking some time away from the sport for personal reasons last spring and has impressed with two KO wins in Las Vegas and then in London in February. ‘Ammo’ now fights in his first title fight and first over ten rounds just over three years since making his debut in LA, and the 25-year-old feels the time is right for him to make some big noise amongst his fellow contenders in the 160lbs division after finding himself in a good place in and out of the ring. “I fully accept myself for who I am,” said Williams. “It’s the yin and yang; I can’t just live on the side of being dangerous and destructive, I need to find a way to be as healthy as possible, clear minded and peaceful. It’s a pendulum, and I want to be fully swinging it, from the crest to the crest, so I can conjure up an energy that these other fighters cannot. “I’m teaching myself that there’s layers to life. I’ve been painting and that helps me lay out what’s in my head and it can come from anywhere. I use painting to teach me flow state, how to get into the zone where I am just in the moment. I live boxing. I know one day it will be over. I started late so my approach has to be different. “When I came back from my break, I fought in Las Vegas against Quatavious Cash and he was not an easy fight, even though I knocked him out in the second round. He’s

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

“SAM EGGINGTON, I NEED THAT FIGHT. I WANT TO GET MY HANDS ON ANTHONY FOWLER TOO” probably the hardest puncher I’ve fought, with the most skills and he’s a bigger guy. In the first round I was thinking ‘this is a tough ass fight for my first one back!’ I had so much going on in my mind, Eddie Hearn was ringside watching me, my management was there watching, there was a lot in my head. “Now I feel like I am having victories that are solidifying me as a top fighter and bringing me out of the prospect phase and stacking up my experience. That stuff doesn’t just happen, you don’t continuously get opportunities if you don’t capitalize on them. And when you do, you get the rewards and confidence grows. “As the fights get harder, my preparation has gone up, my focus has grown, and I’m lucky to be in a position to dedicate myself 100 per cent to my craft. This is where my career will reach its pinnacle and it will stay there. It’s my first title fight. I remember making my debut in LA at The Forum like it was yesterday, and this was a dream that was so far off. I just took everything in and made sure I took every opportunity like it was my last, so to be

fighting for a title at 10-0 in my sixth year of boxing, it’s like I know I am living history and there’s no way I am not going to seize my chance and no way I won’t take this belt in the loudest fashion you have ever seen. “Sam Eggington, I need that fight. I want his WBC Silver title and I know I would beat him. I want to get my hands on Anthony Fowler too. Anyone that tries to stomp on someone when they are already down is a weak person. I am ranked higher than him now, the tables have turned, there’s no more ‘Ammo is trying to catch up to him’. I would be giving him the shot, taking a step down to fight him, but I want to mutilate him. Anyone that has an entry belt that will get you ranked; I want to fight them. “The first time at MSG it was like seeing the future because I got to fight just before Katie Taylor on the AJ-Ruiz card. There was a lot of people already in the stands and I know now what it’s like, it’s not going to be new to me, and now it’s for a title to bring back to Texas, to bring to Florida. I don’t feel like I am just featuring on shows, it feels like I am rising up the cards and soon it’s going to be the Ammo show, and it will stay like that for a long time.” ■

THE

GIFT

hordale Booker tonight looks to explode onto the Middleweight scene by taking out highly rated talent Austin Williams in New York and pick up the WBA Continental Americas title in the process. Stamford’s Booker (17-0, 7 KO’s) returned to the ring in September last year after a ten-month hiatus, winning every round to take his unbeaten streak to 17. The Southpaw isn’t a stranger to the big stage having featured on numerous World title undercards previously of bills topped by the likes of Deontay Wilder, Jermall Charlo and Keith Thurman. Tonight fighting for his first professional title, ‘The Gift’ says he has been waiting for an opportunity like this for his whole career and is determined to make the most of it, insisting all the pressure is on dance partner Williams. “There is no pressure on me because everyone is expecting Ammo to win,” said Booker. “The ball is in his court, he’s the one promoted by Matchroom and DAZN, he’s the one with all the followers, no one really knows who I am so I’m going to be shocking a lot of people in this fight. “I feel great and very comfortable preparing for this fight. Making 160 is no stress on my body and this fight I will be doing what I do best. Strategic boxing. I am just extremely focused on fighting Ammo Williams rather than making the weight which is good for me. “I don’t feel like he’s fought anybody. He’s good, he’s quick and athletic with his feet but after this fight we will find out exactly how good he is. “I just go in the ring to win, if I get the knockout, I get it but for me it’s just about winning and then moving onto the next one. I’m prepared for ten rounds, if the KO comes, I believe it will come late as I take my time in there and set up my shots. I’m bringing that belt home!” ■

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

ALBANIAN

BEAR R

ising Welterweight star Reshat Mati is back boxing in his home city for the third time having dazzled in the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden twice in 2018 and 2019. Tonight, he fights under the bright lights of the main room and is targeting another eye catching performance as he meets big punching Mexican-American Joe Eli Hernandez over eight rounds. The Albanian Bear (11-0, 7 KO’s) has continued to improve since making his bow in the paid ranks back in October 2018 on the back of a successful Kickboxing career. He has notched seven KO’s in his 11 wins and twice boxed outside the states in both Milan and Manchester, UK. Tonight marks a notable step-up for the 23 year old with Hernandez promising to be no pushover. Mati knows there is no margin for error as he continues his pursuit of winning his first professional title, a dream that sits alongside his career ambition to one day fight in Albania. “Every fighter dreams of fighting at Madison Square Garden, it just so happens that it’s in my backyard,” said Mati. “I’m planning on putting on a great show in front of my family and fans and showing why Albanian’s aren’t to be messed with.” ■

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

BIG

STEPPA

aking the short trip from Jersey City to New York, Khalil Coe tonight fights for the fourth time as a professional looking to push on and prove himself as one of the standout rising stars on DAZN. Big Steppa (2-0-1, 2 KO’s) returned to winning ways with an emphatic second round KO in Phoenix in February after a majority draw in November had threatened to slow the 25 year old down. Tonight, the Light-Heavyweight starlet takes part in his first six rounder in what is a solid step up on paper. Across the ring from Coe will be William Langston (6-2, 4 KO’s), the Wisconsin puncher has won his last two inside the scheduled distances and promised to provide the toughest challenge for Coe so far under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Coe, who is boxing for the second time in just two months, says the activity is key as he looks to continue to build the foundations on his professional boxing journey and push on towards title contention at the end of 2022. “When Eddie Hearn signed me, I told him I was going to put a show on for him”, said Coe. I like to have fun and I enjoy boxing, when I’m not in the gym training, I’m watching boxing. I love Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather. I try to take everything from these guys and make it my own. “My mum took me to boxing and as soon as I smelt the leather of the gloves and the bags, I knew it was for me. “Starting the year off so early has given me some good momentum. When I had the draw I learned a lot, it taught me to stay ready. “All I need to do is just stay active, that’s the most important thing for me right now. Staying active means that when the calls do come, I’ll be ready to answer them. “I’ve sparred Marcus Browne and that was great experience, it was tough! He’s a tricky, explosive southpaw and it’s all going to help me moving forward. “The draw is in the history books now and I’ve returned to winning ways since, I look back on it now as a reminder of what not to do again. Even if it was a loss, it’s not something you want to forget, it’s something you want to grow from and that’s what I plan on doing.” ■

SKYE

HIGH

hen Skye Nicolson tells her story, it’s difficult to argue that she wasn’t destined for a successful career in boxing. The Aussie’s awkward, adaptable southpaw style of fighting is like that of her eldest brother Jamie, who lost his life in a car accident before Skye was born. Jamie Nicolson being one of the best boxers to come out of Australia was a sign of things to come for his younger sister. With 150 amateur bouts, a Commonwealth gold medal and a World bronze medal, the Olympics was the next step for Nicolson. A controversial split decision in the quarter-final against Britain’s Kariss Artingstall provoked a move to the pro ranks, but Skye still believes she has unfinished business that she wishes to settle in Paris 2024. Nicolson embraced a move overseas to train in Bromley, London, has since moved 2-0 and is ready to show her talent on a stage as big as it gets, tonight in Madison Square Garden. Nicolson said: “It’s the pinnacle of boxing. I have had a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments this week but I’m just soaking it all up and enjoying the whole experience. I don’t want to overthink it and get myself too excited or too nervous. “Women’s boxing is buzzing right now, and this is not only the biggest fight of the year but the greatest women’s fight of all time, so to be part of it is very humbling. “I’m not looking to rush anything, but I will definitely be fighting for a World title in the next year.” ■

APRIL 30 2022 | TAYLOR VS SERRANO

10 X 2 MINS UNDISPUTED WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

KATIE vs TAYLOR

AMANDA SERRANO

(BRAY, IRELAND)

(BROOKLYN, NEW YORK)

12 X 3 MINS VACANT WBO INTERCONTINENTAL JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

JESSIE VARGAS

LIAM SMITH

(LAS VEGAS, NEVADA)

(LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND)

10 X 2 MINS UNDISPUTED WORLD SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

FRANCHON vs CREWS-DEZURN

ELIN CEDERROOS

(BALTIMORE, MARYLAND)

(VASTERAAS, SWEDEN)

10 X 3 MINS WBC INTERNATIONAL FLYWEIGHT TITLE

GALAL YAFAI

(BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND)

MIGUEL CARTAGENA (PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA)

10 X 3 MINS WBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

AUSTIN WILLIAMS

(HOUSTON, TEXAS)

CHORDALE BOOKER (STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT)

8 X 3 MINS SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST

RESHAT MATI

(STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK)

JOE ELI HERNANDEZ (MATAMOROS, MEXICO)

6 X 3 LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST

KHALIL COE

(JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY)

WILLIAM LANGSTON (KENOSHA, WISCONSIN)

6 X 2 MINS CONTEST

SKYE NICOLSON

(YATALA, AUSTRALIA)

SHANECQUA PAISLEY DAVIS (HOUSTON, TEXAS)