Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Not many people are around from the 50s when Gillette sponsored a boxing series from New York City in the golden days of live television.

Boxing was king.

New York City prizefighting returns to the forefront this weekend with two star-packed cards on back-to-back days.

Brooklyn’s Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano and Katie Taylor headline an all-female fight card on Friday, July 11, at Madison Square Garden. Netflix will stream the Most Valuable Promotions card.

“This is the biggest event of my career to promote,” said Jake Paul co-promoter with Most Valuable Promotions.

Three undisputed title fights are included among the five total world title matches.

Serrano and Taylor are responsible for leading female boxing out of the shadows to prime time viewing. Their two prior confrontations set records for selling out the Garden, pay-per-view numbers, and overall viewing numbers worldwide.

“Together, we’ve shown the world that women deserve equal pay, equal rounds, and equal respect,” said Serrano who signed a lifetime contract with Most Valuable Promotions. “I’m proud to build my legacy with MVP and excited to stay on after I retire as a fighter to deepen MVP’s impact and help create even more opportunities for women in the sport.”

For the third time Serrano faces Taylor who also expressed wishes to grow women’s boxing.

“It’s the biggest fight show in boxing right now. We are creating history,” said Taylor the undisputed super lightweight champion and former undisputed lightweight champ.

Their last meeting set records for viewership with more than 50 million viewers on Netflix. It’s probably the reason that the media company offered to stream this card as well.

Serrano and Taylor performed with such savagery that many viewers who had never seen female boxing were awed and amazed. Their fight was the most reviewed part of the overall record-busting boxing card that also featured Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

Many consider Taylor and Serrano two of the top female fighters in the world. They will be joined by more than a dozen of the best.

Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) defends the undisputed super featherweight title against Spain’s Jennifer Miranda (12-0). Baumgardner has strength, balance and one-punch power. Miranda is undefeated against Europe’s best and will be facing the champ.

England’s Ellie Scotney (10-0) is the IBF and WBO titlist and meets Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado (24-3) a long reigning WBC super bantamweight titlist who actually fought Serrano a few years back. It’s an interesting match.

England’s Savannah Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) the IBF and WBA titlist faces America’s Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 KOs) the WBO titlist in a super middleweight battle between knockout specialists. It’s bombs away for these two. Neither likes winning by decision.

Bantamweight world titlists Shurretta Metcalf (14-4) and Australia’s Cherneka Johnson (17-2) meet for undisputed bantamweight championship. Dina Thorslund who holds the WBC and WBO titles will not be able to fight due to pregnancy. Therefore, those titles and the IBF and WBA titles will all be at stake.

Three other female bouts are also planned for the big event at Madison Square Garden,

Saturday in Queens

Across the other side of town Golden Boy Promotions is promoting two world title fights in Queens, New York on Saturday, July 12, at Louis Armstrong Stadium. DAZN pay-per-view will stream the card.

WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) defends against Mexico’s William Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs). Stevenson, known for hit and run faces Zepeda, a punching machine who had problems with Tevin Farmer in his last two fights. Fans do not know what to expect in this confrontation.

The last time Stevenson met a fighter known to possess power he danced around the ring and very few punches were exchanged.

Zepeda has not shown an ability to fight opponents who can move. He prefers foes to stand in front of him so he can pile on blow after blow. We shall see what transpires. Both have much at stake.

In a super middleweight match Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) promises an early night for Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs). Berlanga went the distance with undisputed super middle champ Canelo Alvarez and does not expect Sheeraz to offer near the skillset of the Mexican redhead.

Berlanga has many options should he defeat big hitting Sheeraz (pictured on the right). Mexico’s Jaime Munguia is still out there for a big possible Puerto Rico versus Mexico showdown. Sheeraz has options too especially with backing by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh.

Not to be outshined is a super lightweight clash between Dominican Republic’s Alberto Puello (24-0, 10 KOs) the WBC world titlist and former champ Subriel Matias (22-2, 22 KOs) of Puerto Rico who has 22 knockouts but no decision wins.

Others added to the boxing card include Cuba’s David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) who warred with David Benavidez in his last fight. He is a big hitter and will be fighting undefeated Imam Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) although that bout is in limbo after Khataev tested positive for a banned substance.

Fights to Watch

Fri. Netflix 5 p.m. PT: Katie Taylor (24-1) vs Amanda Serrano (47-3-1); Alycia Baumgardner (15-1) vs Jennifer Miranda (12-0); Shurretta Metcalf (14-1-1) vs Cherneka Johnson (17-2) Ellie Scotney (10-0) vs Yamileth Mercado (24-3); Savannah Marshall (13-1) vs Shadasia Green (15-1).

Sat. DAZN ppv 3 p.m. PT: Edgar Berlanga (23-1) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1); Shakur Stevenson (23-0) vs William Zepeda (33-0); Albert Puello (24-0) vs. Subriel Matias (22-2).

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