Amanda Serrano unifies featherweight division

In a bloodbath, WBC, IBF, and WBO featherweight champion Amanda Serrano added the WBA title to her collection last by pounding out a hard-fought 10-round decision against gutsy underdog Ericka Cruz Hernandez at the Hula Theater inside Madison Square Garden last Saturday night.

Cruz did well in the early rounds, outworking Serrano with ferocious energy and punches. None of them seemed to bother the champion, however.

The ever-cool Serrano took over in round six, hurting Cruz but the WBA champion held on and fought back.

Scores were 98-92 twice, and 97-93.

The bout was everything a unification should be. Cruz left it all in the ring. A noble effort by both champions.

“She’s a Mexican champion,” said Serrano to DAZN’s Chris Mannix. “And we knew that, and I said it from the very beginning. I knew she wasn’t just gonna let me take her belt. She worked hard for this, I worked hard for mine. But I wouldn’t expect any less than that.”

Serrano’s victory green-lighted a rematch between lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Serrano on May 20 in Ireland.

“You know, Katie [aylor is a true champion. And she came here to New York and [we] fulfilled both of our dreams of fighting each other. Now she deserves to fight in Ireland. And it’s gonna be a bigger and better fight over there.”

Alycia Baumgardner unified the female super featherweight division with a ten-round unanimous decision over gutsy Elham Mekhaled. Baumgardner added the WBA strap by flooring twice in round four. She coasted after round six.