Serrano schools Mercado in a hit and run skirmish

WBC Press

World Boxing Council featherweight champion, Puerto Rican Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, ably and successfully defended her belt, by defeating WBC super-bantamweight world champion, Yamileth Mercado, by unanimous decision, this Sunday at the “Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse” of Cleveland, Ohio.

These were 10 rounds of intense action, in which Serrano delivered a controlled and tempered performance, with an excellent southpaw jab, coupled with some sinking body shots and hard rights to the head, to earn the victory: 97-93, 98-92, and 99-91 scorecards.

From the opening bell, Amanda Serrano came out to dominate, taking control of the fight, attacking with quick combinations, and ruthlessly closing down the distance. Yamileth, who was forced onto the back foot, had to use all her skills. All credit to “Yeimi” who undaunted, stepped up in weight, giving away height, natural weight, and reach. Her only advantage was, that at twenty- three, she`s nine years the younger.

As promised, she`s improved her footwork and technique, fighting back in spurts bruising Amanda`s right cheekbone, to the cost of a swollen and cut the left side of her own face and a bloody nose. After going through and coming through a torrid ninth round, she was hurt by two piledriver straight rights in the tenth and final round. Exceptional bravery reinforced by superb conditioning bolstered her and… she toughed it out, simply refusing to go down!

With this victory, “The Real Deal” Serrano is confirmed as one of the best fighters in the world pound for pound, to improve her record to 41-1-1, with 30 knockouts. Mercado, for her part, now has a record of 18-3, 5 knockouts. She had the sheer guts to take this fight when others didn`t!