AMANDA SERRANO was only seventeen when she entered a boxing ring. But this weekend, she will be fighting in the largest women's bout of all time.
The Puerto Rican star, now 33, is gearing up for an epic unification attempt against Ireland's unbeaten lightweight sensation Katie Taylor, on April 30.
YouTube star Jake Paul
promotes Serrano
The Carolina-born fighter is currently the unified featherweight champion of the world. It has been an incredible rise to the top.
Amanda grew up in New York and was an avid swimmer as a kid, but she never really considered becoming a boxer.
Cindy, her sister, had also taken up the sport. She trained at Jordan Maldonado’s gym Envy Us where Amanda, 12, took part-time work.
Serrano was only 17 when she left high school and felt the need to make friends.
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She signed up for the glamorous amateur Golden Gloves contest after seeing an advertisement in the New York Daily News.
Sister Cindy tried to convince Amanda, but Amanda was forced into a sparring match with her sibling.
Cindy said, "I didn’t want to do that." I was her mother's protector.
Despite being shy and introverted, Serrano proved to be a natural talent in the ring.
She continued training at Maldonado's gym with her brother-in law, who kept pushing her into the ring and telling her to beat her sister.
Amanda agreed and started a 9-1 amateur career that saw her win the Staten Island championship.
"I WAS HER PROTECTOR"
They are still inseparable, and they live together in the unassuming New York home where they were born.
ESPN asked Amanda: "I would only watch [Cindy]".
"And that's what made me who and what I am today, just like she wanted.
"I was like, "She's my role-model"... so when she did boxing, I decided to give it a shot.
Serrano, also known as "The Real Deal", made her pro debut in 2011 with the 5ft5 pocket Rocket that destroyed Jennifer Scott just over one minute into round 1.
Since then, she has compiled a remarkable record of 42-1-1 in 44 pro bouts with 30 of those victories coming via knockout.
Her only bruising defeat was against Frida Wallberg, in April 2012. Serrano was disqualified from the WBC super featherweight title.
In Argentina, Serrano defeated Maria Elena Maderna just two years later. He was determined to keep going and not be discouraged by defeat.
Serrano has now won titles in seven different divisions. Only Manny Pacquiao has more.
He's also proven her worth in the MMA world by beating Valentina Garcia last June in the iKON Fighting Federation 7, her strawweight debut.
"SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE a PHONE"
Amanda's star shines through with YouTube star Jake Paul, with Serrano finally reaping all the rewards of a long and difficult career.
She has earned three of her highest payouts by working with Paul, or fighting for his undercards.
It's been a great success for her social media presence, and celebrity status. Her Instagram followers have jumped from 80,000 to almost 350,000.
This all happens at a time women's boxing has been growing in popularity. Serrano will be taking on Taylor on April 30.
Her brutal victory over Miriam Gutierrez in December was a shock to fans. This was her first win since she moved up to the lightweight division.
Gutierrez was able to take a one-sided fight all the way, but she was left in shock after she suffered a brutal ten round pummelling.
Paul, through his company Most Valuable Promotions, has now arranged the NY showdown between Taylor and Paul.
It has been dubbed the greatest female boxing fight ever and will bring seven-figure cash for each of its participants.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake revealed that Serrano doesn't even have a phone and her success is solely down to her hard work and dedication.
He stated that Amanda has done so much she is deserving of being rewarded.
"I'm thrilled to be Promoter Paul while she gets on a pedestal.
"She is a star who has dedicated her life to boxing.
"She doesn’t have a smartphone, while I post TikToks every day."
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Serrano will be the first Puerto Rican male or female to achieve undisputed champion status on Saturday.
Paul supports his star attraction, Taylor from Ireland, and is threatening to inflict the first pro loss on the Olympic hero.
Paul said, "Amanda was one of the greatest fighters ever."
"Really, we clicked right from the beginning. She informed me how much she was being paid for her fights. I was shocked at how little she was making.
"She is an amazing fighter. She needed guidance and support, and it was my honor to be that person."
Katie Taylor will be taking on Serrano for The WBA, WBC and IBF female lightweight titles. Ring walks are expected to take place around 10 p.m ET.
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