Serrano vs Cruz II: Rematch for World Titles in Puerto Rico

Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz: Rematch in Puerto Rico

The outstanding boxer Amanda Serrano is preparing for an exciting return to the ring. She will defend her WBO and WBA featherweight world titles against Erika Cruz. The event will take place at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3, 2026. This fight will mark the rematch of their intense and bloody 2023 fight, where Serrano won by unanimous decision. This victory made her the first undisputed champion from Puerto Rico in the four-belt era. The rematch will be held under different rules, with three-minute rounds, matching the conditions of men’s fights.

“Every time I step into the ring, I fight for all women, for equality, and for Puerto Rico,” Serrano stated. “Being able to fight with three-minute rounds in a unified defense of the world title in front of my people will be one of the proudest moments of my career. When I got injured last March, I promised I would return to fight in Puerto Rico, and now the moment has finally arrived.”

Amanda Serrano

Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) will return to the ring after her recent defeat against Katie Taylor. Despite the rivalry with Taylor, which was key to the current rise of women’s boxing, Serrano, at 37 years old, is eager to compete at home after being forced to withdraw from her December 2023 fight in Puerto Rico due to an eye injury.

“I want to thank Erika Cruz for choosing to face me in 10 rounds of 3:00 minutes and for joining me in making this statement for equality in women’s boxing,” Serrano said. “Together, we are showing all young women that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to and that female boxers deserve the same opportunities as men.”

Amanda Serrano

Cruz (18-2-1, 4 KOs), who has had a record of 3-0-1 since his defeat to Serrano, will seek to revive the historic boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico and avenge his defeat.

“I am very happy and excited for this great opportunity to face the great Puerto Rican champion, Amanda Serrano, once again,” said Cruz. “I am grateful to my promoter, Universal Promotions, and MVP for making this rematch a reality. This is the most exciting rivalry in world boxing. Mexico against Puerto Rico means a guaranteed war. If our first fight was a colossal battle, you can’t miss what will happen on January 3rd. Long live Mexico!”

Erika Cruz

Serrano recently signed a lifetime deal with Most Valuable Promotions, where she will finish her career as a boxer and then take on the role of president of MVP’s women’s boxing initiatives. She will lead efforts to identify, recruit, develop, and market the promotion’s growing list of female athletes. Although speculation arose about Serrano’s possible retirement, “The Real Deal” still has at least one more fight ahead. This fight promises to be a historic event that will celebrate the pride and legacy of Puerto Rican and female boxing.