KATIE Taylor had no trouble dealing with back-pedalling Cindy Serrano in a run-of-the-mill defence of her IBF and WBA World Female Lightweight titles on Saturday night.
With Serrano in survival mode, “bored” Taylor was able to showboat, pick her shots and clinch a shut-out points win at the TD Garden.
36-year-old Serrano had predicted the fight would go the full 10-round distance and she stayed out of trouble against a frustrated Taylor to ensure it did.
“I just want to be involved in big fights again," Taylor said afterwards.
“It was a great atmosphere tonight, and it was great to fight one of the Serrano sisters, and the other one I hope is on the way some time next year.
“That fight is huge with myself and Amanda, and that’s the fight that everyone wants to see. I think she’s doing everything she can to avoid a fight with me.”
Taylor’s coach Ross Enamait and Serrano's coach and husband Jordan Maldonado exchanged words at the end of the fight and Taylor later revealed that Maldonado had said “terrible things” to her throughout the 10 rounds.
“I heard him during the whole fight. He was saying terrible things and it was his wife who was in the ring,” she said.
“He was saying 'you picked the weaker Serrano.' That's a terrible thing to say. At least give your wife some encouragement. It was ridiculous of him.”
“Amanda will do if she wants to go there,” said Eddie Hearn when he was asked who was next for Taylor.
“I think that Katie needs the tests otherwise she’ll get a little bit bored. She wants to challenge herself and we expected a challenge from Cindy Serrano tonight – maybe after a round she realizes she can’t compete with Katie Taylor?”
Next for Taylor could be one of the other belt holders in the lightweight division, Rose Volante (WBO) or Delfine Persoon (WBC).
