Amanda Serrano Relinquishes WBC Championship Amidst Disagreement on 12 Three-Minute Rounds
Amanda Serrano relinquishes WBC title due to ongoing dispute over limited fight duration, advocating for equal opportunities for women in boxing
Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano has announced that she has relinquished her WBC title due to the governing body's ongoing refusal to allow women to compete in 12 three-minute rounds. In October, Serrano successfully defended her WBA, IBF, and WBO featherweight titles by defeating Brazil's Danila Ramos in a historic bout, the first women's fight to be contested across the extended format since 2007.
The usual format for championship fights for female boxers consists of 10 rounds, each lasting two minutes. However, the WBC did not sanction Serrano's fight against Ramos. "In the future, if a sanctioning body does not allow me and my fellow fighters to compete with the same rules as men, then I will not fight for that sanctioning body," the 35-year-old Serrano declared on Instagram on Tuesday.
"The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title. Thank You to the sanctioning bodies who have evolved for Equality!"
Serrano lands a punch on Danila Ramos during their fight in Orlando, Florida in October.
Alex Menendez/Getty Images
CNN reached out to the WBC for a comment, but has not received a response at this time. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in September, WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán stated, "Tennis - women play 3 sets, basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We stand by safety and well-being of the fighters."
Sulaimán reiterated the governing body's stance on safety, emphasizing, "This is about safety and safety only, not discrimination, sexism, or equality," he told We News on Wednesday.
Serrano made history last year as the first woman to headline a boxing match at Madison Square Garden, alongside Ireland's Katie Taylor.
Serrano suffered her second defeat in her professional career when she lost to Taylor in a split decision. She boasts an impressive record of 46 wins, with 30 by knockout, and one draw.
Prior to Serrano's upcoming fight against Ramos, a collective of female boxers advocated for equal treatment in their competitions compared to their male counterparts. In an open letter, they demanded the option to compete in 3-minute rounds and 12 rounds for championship fights to showcase their talent and excellence.
"We have earned the CHOICE to build a more equal future for fighters everywhere."
Taylor (left) and Serrano fight at Madison Square Garden last year.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Serrano expressed gratitude to her fellow fighters for their support, stating, "If you want to face me in the ring, you have a choice. I've made mine." Previously, American boxer Claressa Shields has argued that the limitation to two-minute rounds financially impacts female boxers.
"In 2021, Shields expressed concern that the round and fight length is the reason behind the gender pay gap in boxing and the unequal status of women's boxing compared to men's. Similarly, promoter Bob Arum revealed to ESPN that he would be willing to sign more women if they were allowed to compete in three-minute rounds."
