Amanda and Cindy Serrano: A Tale of Two Sisters in Boxing
In the world of women’s boxing, the legacy of Amanda Serrano often overshadows that of her older sister, Cindy Serrano, who was a pioneering force in the sport. Cindy, a native of Puerto Rico raised in Brooklyn, began her professional boxing career in 2003 and established a commendable record of 27 wins, 6 losses, and 3 draws, which includes 10 knockout victories. Before Amanda rose to fame, Cindy made headlines herself, holding the WBO featherweight title from 2016 to 2017 and competing for world titles in two weight classes.
Significant Matches and Legacy
Notably, she became the first member of the Serrano family to step into the ring against Irish sensation Katie Taylor in October 2018. This matchup, which took place at TD Garden in Boston, was significant, not only marking a pivotal moment in the Serrano family’s boxing story but also showcasing the then-undefeated Taylor’s dominance, as she secured a sweeping unanimous decision victory over Cindy, taking every round as scored by the judges.
“While Cindy demonstrated resilience and perseverance, the fight served to illustrate the vast disparity in skill levels between herself and the elite Taylor.”
It was during this same event that MMA superstar Conor McGregor became a talking point, famously posing with Taylor during what was already a controversial fight scene. Following this loss, Cindy decided to retire from professional boxing.
Amanda’s Rise and Cindy’s Legacy
While Amanda Serrano built on their shared name, emerging as a global boxing icon with titles across seven weight divisions and multiple significant wins over Taylor, Cindy’s own notable achievements have often been neglected. Amanda’s meteoric rise has seen her headline marquee events worldwide and enjoy substantial financial backing since aligning with Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021. Under MVP’s guidance, Amanda attained her greatest career earnings during a historic title fight at Madison Square Garden in 2022, marking a key moment in women’s boxing as the first female bout to headline the venue, despite ultimately losing in a close split decision.
Afterward, Amanda made strides in consolidating her position, unifying the featherweight division before temporarily vacating some titles in a dispute regarding fighting conditions for women. Off the ring, Amanda’s brand amplified significantly through partnerships that enabled her to advocate for greater equality in women’s boxing, thereby fulfilling Paul’s promise of transforming her financial standing.
Cindy Serrano, in contrast, entered a challenging chapter as she witnessed her sister’s rise while her own contributions to the sport faded into the background. Although she may have missed the financial success that accompanied her sister’s career, history recognizes that it was Cindy who blazed the trail for Amanda’s eventual success in the boxing world, and without her, Amanda’s journey might have been very different.
Recognizing Cindy’s Contributions
Phil Jay, a seasoned boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering high-stakes matches and trends in the fight scene, underscores the importance of acknowledging Cindy’s legacy, which too often remains hidden in the shadow of her sister’s illustrious career.
