Amanda Serrano has accomplished almost everything in boxing.
Despite defeat, she co-headlined the biggest fight in women’s history.
She’s won a major title in every weight class from Jr. bantamweight to Jr. welterweight.
What Serrano hasn’t done, what she will attempt to do Saturday night (DAZN, 8 PM EST) in New York, is become undisputed in a single weight class for the first time. Across the ring, Serrano will find an opponent who hasn’t lost since her second pro start. Erika Cruz-Hernandez doesn’t carry the power Serrano does but she’s tenacious, tough, and fires in combination.
It wasn’t long ago both these titlists were headlining on Ring City cards. They’ve come a long way in the last couple years and have a chance to leave with all the trophies one can carry.
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Amanda Serrano
Age: 34
Titles: WBC/WBO featherweight (2019-Present, 3 Defenses); IBF/Ring featherweight (2022-Present, 1st Attempted Defense)
Previous Titles: IBF super featherweight (2011-12); WBO lightweight (2014-15); WBO featherweight (2016, 1 Defense); WBO super bantamweight (2016-18, 2 Defenses); WBO bantamweight (2017); WBO super lightweight (2018); WBO super flyweight (2019)
Height: 5’5 ½
Weight: 125 ½ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Brooklyn, New York (Born in Puerto Rico)
Record: 43-2-1, 30 KO
Press Rankings: #1 (ESPN, LinealBoxingChampion.com)
Record in Major Title Fights: 14-1, 9 KO
Last Five Opponents: 92-6-3 (.926)
Notable Outcomes, Ring/LBC Rated Foes: Heather Hardy UD10; Daniela Bermudez KO9; Yamileth Mercado UD10; Miriam Gutierrez UD10; Katie Taylor L10; Sarah Mahfoud UD10
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Frida Wahlberg L10; Maria Maderna KO6; Fatuma Zarika UD6, UD6; Olivia Gerula TKO1; Yazmin Rivas UD10; Dahiana Santana TKO8, TKO1; Marilyn Hernandez TKO1; Eva Voraberger KO1
Vs.
Erika Cruz-Hernandez
Age: 32
Titles: WBA featherweight (2021-Present, 2 Defenses)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’6
Weight: 125 ½ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Mexico City, Mexico
Record: 15-1, 3 KO
Press Rankings: #1 (Ring), #2 (ESPN, LBC)
Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0
Last Five Opponents: 105-38-7 (.723)
Notable Outcomes, Ring/LBC Rated Foes: Jelena Mrdjenovich Tech. Dec 7, UD10
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
The Pick: Tenacious though she might be, it’s hard to see a lot of avenues for victory for Erika Cruz-Hernandez. Her lack of punching power is in stark contrast to Serrano as is what appears to be a gap in experience, speed, and athleticism. Power is one of the things that really stands out for Serrano. Serrano has power that carries everywhere she’s been on the scale, including some dramatic moments against Taylor last year. For Hernandez to win, she has to bring the fight all night and that will mean exchanges she doesn’t have the firepower to win. Cruz-Hernandez will give a hell of an effort, and this should be a fan friendly fight, but eventually Serrano’s sharper technique is going to prevail and the pick is Serrano by late stoppage.
Additional Saturday Pick
Alycia Baumgardner Dec. Elham Mekhaled
Rold Picks 2023: 20-0
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com