BERNSTEIN ON BOXING A BANNER YEAR IN THE MAKING By Al Bernstein
there are three more matchups featuring Ring Magazine champs – Alycia Baumgardner, Ellie Scotney and Dina Thorslund – against three hard-charging challengers in Jennifer Miranda, Yamileth Mercado and Shuretta Metcalf. Every match on this card has the potential to be a good one. The Taylor-Serrano match is special in every way. Two razor-thin and disputed decisions that went Taylor’s way have left plenty of unfinished business between these two women, who make for the absolute perfect style matchup in the ring. Both previous fights were thrilling and well-fought. The buildup to this fight has already been spicier than the first two, so that will satiate fans who want drama to go along with great boxing action. These two could fight 10 times, and every time it would likely be an action-packed 10-rounder that went right down to the wire. This card promises to be a landmark event for women’s boxing. The following night, the next edition of the Ring fight series will provide four more potentially exciting matches. While some are debating which fight deserves to be the main event, no one is debating whether this is a good card. Master boxer Shakur Stevenson will defend his lightweight crown against body-punching whirlwind William Zepeda, and they will share the top of the card with two 168-pounders: Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz. Then there’s an excellent 140-pound matchup with WBC titleholder Alberto Puello taking on the always exciting Subriel Matias in a fight that could well steal the night. Rounding out the televised card is David Morrell Jr., back in action after his classic fight in February with David Benavidez, taking on 175-pound knockout artist Imam Khataev. Both cards have important fights, and both have depth in their undercards. Criteria met. I can’t hang my hat on one weekend if I am to claim the rest of this year could be special. So, consider all these
FOR MOMENTS THAT STAY WITH YOU
A s we reach the halfway point of this year in boxing, it is apparent that 2025 has much more to give. The first six months have produced some good fights and exciting moments, but what awaits us might be even better. Yes, I know I’m known as a glass-half-full guy, but hear me out on this one before the boxing cynic in you takes over. The criteria for a good year in the sport is fairly simple: 1. How many important matches are made, and 2. How many good fights overall are made on all levels. An objective look
Taylor-Serrano 3 headlines a spectacular card at MSG.
ahead tells us 2025 will very likely succeed in both categories. The final six months of the year could not possibly get off to a better start, with stacked, back-to-back shows on July 11 and 12. On the 11th, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will pack Madison Square Garden for their third fight, with the undisputed junior welterweight championship on the line. On that four-fight card,
Inland Sea
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