Jake Paul KOs Tyron Woodley in Rematch

STORY BY DAVID A. AVILA — You can remove the social media moniker now as Jake Paul put the hammer on former MMA star Tyron Woodley with a vicious knockout win in the cruiserweight rematch on Saturday.

Paul can fight.

“I’ve knocked out every fighter that I have fought,” Paul said.

Fighting a dangerous late replacement, Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) improved in this fight against Woodley (0-2) who eagerly accepted to step in when Tommy Fury was forced to bail out. The crowd at Amalie Arena saw a much more engaging fight this time around.

Both fighters seemed more comfortable from the onset as Paul used his height and range by flicking jabs and attacking the body. Woodley was busier than in the first fight that took place last August. In that fight Paul won by decision.

Despite numerous clinches by both fighters, each were more willing to exchange but often got tangled on the inside. Paul and Woodley never stopped punching even in the clinches.

More than a few times they clashed heads and Woodley connected accidentally with an elbow, but their familiarity with each other made for more action.

Woodley connected with a right cross early, but Paul was able to absorb the punch and continue. The blond-haired cruiserweight used his jab wisely and kept stabbing rights at Woodley’s body. But the rounds were never one-sided.

In the fourth round Paul opened up with a three-punch combination and Woodley countered with a combination of his own. During another clinch Woodley threw Paul to the mat with one of his MMA moves and was warned by the referee. Paul got up gingerly and Woodley took advantage with a sharp combination.

It looked like Woodley was turning things around.

Paul rallied in the fifth round behind solid jabs that kept Woodley at a distance. He also fired a one-two combination and was met with Woodley’s one-two combination. But Paul used a long jab to regain the advantage.

With the fight still in question, Woodley moved in more aggressively as Paul kept scoring with the jabs. A right lead by Paul was followed by a one-two combination from Woodley and a right cross. Paul feigned a jab to the body and then fired an overhand right to Woodley who had dropped his right guard and down he went face first. The referee Chris Young immediately waved the fight over at 2:12 of the sixth round.

Paul had earned his fourth knockout in five pro fights.

“I told you I was going to f… him up,” yelled Paul who then hugged Woodley who walked up to him during the interview. “This guy is a legend and I respect him for taking this fight on two-week’s notice.”

Amanda Muscles Past Gutierrez

Seven-division champion Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KOs) moved back up to 135-pounds and proved that fighting the bigger Miriam Gutierrez (14-2) was not a problem in winning decisively by unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

“She’s a tough girl,” Serrano said of Gutierrez.

Will undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor be next?

Serrano was easily the faster puncher and though she was the smaller fighter she maintained her pressure style behind her southpaw stance and walked down Spain’s Gutierrez the first two rounds.

Then things got slightly tougher.

Gutierrez, who was slightly taller and looked physically stronger, seemed to adapt to Serrano’s punching power. But despite being physically bigger, she was hesitant about fighting on the inside. She kept a distance and seemed more concerned about allowing the Puerto Rican slugger to target her body.

Round after round Serrano battered Gutierrez and the Spanish fighter’s face began to swell and show redness. But she also began to catch Serrano occasionally with punches, although never enough to hurt and hinder the Boricua’s attacks.

Serrano seemed to catch her rhythm in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds by switching attacks and staggering Gutierrez in each of those rounds. The Spanish fighter never wavered or seemed close to quitting, but Serrano was imposing her dominance.

Gutierrez remained steadfast in trying to catch Serrano with a knockout blow. Though she occasionally connected with punches throughout the fight, it was never enough to stun Serrano who bore through them with disdain in the ninth. But it may have been Gutierrez’s best round.

The final round saw Serrano open up with little concern of Gutierrez’s incoming blows and scored with body shots and right hooks. Gutierrez fought back but seemed unable to deter Serrano’s attacks.

After 10 rounds all three judges scored it heavily in favor of Serrano 100-90, 99-91, 99-90.

“I think I belong at 135,” said Serrano who last fought at 135 pounds in 2018 when she defeated Yamila Reynoso. “Wherever they put me.”

Serrano and Katie Taylor could be arranged for a showdown in March or April next year, possibly in New York City. It looks to be the greatest female fight in history.

Other Bouts

J’Leon Love (25-3-1) defeated Marcus Oliveira (28-6-1) by unanimous decision in a cruiserweight eight round fight.

Liam Paro (22-0) beat Yomar Alamo (20-1-1) by split decision in a super lightweight bout.

Jeovanny Estela (6-0) won by unanimous decision over Chris Rollins (5-3-1) in a super welterweight contest.

Photo credit: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME

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